”

“I came here to save you, Monsieur Fouquet, and not to ruin myself,” said the marquise, rising — ”therefore, beware! — ”

“Marquise, in truth you terrify yourself too much at least, unless this terror is but a pretext — ”

“He is very deep, very deep; this M. Colbert: beware!”

Fouquet, in his turn, drew himself up. “And I?” asked he.

“And you, you have only a noble heart. Beware! beware!”

“So?”

“I have done what was right, my friend, at the risk of my reputation. Adieu!”