“Why did you not tell me that sooner, Aramis? There was a day when, with one million only, you could have saved me; whilst to-day — ”

“Whilst to-day I can give you twenty,” said the prelate. “Such is the case, however — the reason is very simple. On the day you speak of, I had not the million which you had need of at my disposal, whilst now I can easily procure the twenty millions we require.”

“May Heaven hear you, and save me!”

Aramis resumed his usual smile, the expression of which was so singular.

“Heaven never fails to hear me,” he said.

“I abandon myself to your unreservedly,” Fouquet murmured.