“are you convinced with regard to M. Fouquet?”

“Saint-Aignan,” said Philippe, “have the goodness to go and inquire after the queen.”

At these words, the first Philippe had pronounced aloud, the slight difference that there was between his voice and that of the king was sensible to maternal ears, and Anne of Austria looked earnestly at her son. Saint-Aignan left the room, and Philippe continued:

“Madame, I do not like to hear M.

Fouquet ill-spoken of, you know I do not — and you have even spoken well of him yourself.”

“That is true; therefore I only question you on the state of your sentiments with respect to him.”