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"Exactly. Well, then, I have seen the king of Spain, who wished me to do a service, but was unable. He gave me recommendations, however, to Flanders, both for myself and for Laicques too; and conferred a pension on me out of the funds belonging to the order." "Of Jesuits?" "Yes.
He is a very talented man, and one you love, besides." "Yes, no doubt; but, at all events, putting Laicques aside, will you have it?" "No, I thank you, duchesse." She paused. "He is nominated," she thought; and then resumed aloud, "If you refuse me in this manner, it is not very encouraging for me, supposing I should have something to ask of you." "Oh! ask, pray, ask." "Ask!
"You know I am not the general, I think." "In that case, you have a friend who must be very wealthy M. Fouquet." "M. Fouquet! He is more than half ruined, madame." "So it is said, but I did not believe it." "Why, duchesse?" "Because I have, or rather Laicques has, certain letters in his possession from Cardinal Mazarin, which establish the existence of very strange accounts." "What accounts?"
"Ah! you mean that poor Laicques will have to suffer." "I am afraid it is almost inevitable, duchesse." "Oh! he only receives twelve thousand francs pension." "Yes, but the king of Spain has some influence left; advised by M. Fouquet, he might get M. Laicques shut up in prison for a little while."
"Duchesse, I tell you why; supposing the five hundred thousand francs were to be given you, M. Laicques will require his share, which will be another five hundred thousand francs, I presume? and then, after M. de Laicques's and your own portions have been arranged, the portions which your children, your poor pensioners, and various other persons will require, will start up as fresh claims, and these letters, however compromising they may be in their nature, are not worth from three to four millions.
"Which existed between you and the Franciscan," said Aramis, interrupting her eagerly, "well, I am listening to you very attentively." "It is easily explained," returned the duchesse. "You know that I am living at Brussels with M. de Laicques?" "I heard so." "You know that my children have ruined and stripped me of everything." "How terrible, dear duchesse."
"And I am not on bad terms," thought Aramis to himself. "Shall I ask the king," continued the duchesse, "to confer the succession to the Franciscan's post upon you?" "Oh, duchesse!" "You have it already, perhaps?" she said. "No, upon my honor." "Very well, then, I can render you that service." "Why did you not render the same service to M. de Laicques, duchesse?
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