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Updated: September 29, 2025
It is that which constitutes the strength of such men; distrust only arises in the minds of inferior natures. Vanel bowed lowly to the superintendent, and was about to begin a speech. "Do not trouble yourself, monsieur," said Fouquet, politely; "I am told you wish to purchase a post I hold. How much can you give me for it?" "It is for you, monseigneur, to fix the amount you require.
"Vanel," he said suddenly to his protege, "you are a hard-working man, I know; would twelve hours' daily labor frighten you?" "I work fifteen hours every day." "Impossible. A counselor need not work more than three hours a day in parliament." "Oh! I am working up some returns for a friend of mine in the department of accounts, and, as I still have spare time on my hands, I am studying Hebrew."
I am less loving, perhaps; when my heart has been once wounded, it remains so always." "But M. Fouquet has not wounded you," said Marguerite Vanel, with the most perfect simplicity. "You perfectly understand what I mean. M. Fouquet has not wounded me; I do not know of either obligation or injury received at his hands, but you have reason to complain of him.
Madame Vanel had risen, paler, more livid, than Envy herself. Fouquet in vain addressed her, with the most agreeable, most pacific salutation; she only replied by a terrible glance darted at the marquise and Fouquet. This keen glance of a jealous woman is a stiletto which pierces every cuirass; Marguerite Vanel plunged it straight into the hearts of the two confidants.
"Oh, yes, monseigneur, you would blame me, and you would be right in doing so," said Vanel; "for a man must either be very imprudent, or a fool, to undertake engagements which he cannot keep; and I, at least, have always regarded a thing agreed on as a thing actually carried out." Fouquet colored, while Aramis uttered a "Hum!" of impatience.
"Yes, I am," replied Vanel, astonished at the extremely haughty tone in which Aramis had put the question; "but in what way am I to address you, who do me the honor " "Call me monseigneur," replied Aramis, dryly. Vanel bowed. "Come, gentlemen, a truce to these ceremonies; let us proceed to the matter itself." "Monseigneur sees," said Vanel, "that I am waiting your pleasure."
"I have not the money with me," said Vanel, frightened almost by the unpretending simplicity, amounting to greatness, of the man, for he had expected disputes, difficulties, opposition of every kind. "When will you be able to bring it?" "Whenever you please, monseigneur;" for he began to be afraid that Fouquet was trifling with him.
"On the contrary, I am waiting," replied Fouquet. "What for, may I be permitted to ask, monseigneur?" "I thought that you had perhaps something to say." "Oh," said Vanel to himself, "he has reflected on the matter and I am lost."
The terrified women uttered, the one a faint cry, by which D'Artagnan recognized a young woman, the other an imprecation, in which he recognized the vigor and aplomb that half a century bestows. The hoods were thrown back: one of the women was Madame Vanel, the other the Duchesse de Chevreuse.
M. Vanel carried a voluminous bundle of papers under his arm, and placed it on the desk on which Colbert was leaning both his elbows, as he supported his head. "Good day, M. Vanel," said the latter, rousing himself from his meditation. "Good day, monseigneur," said Vanel, naturally. "You should say monsieur, and not monseigneur," replied Colbert, gently.
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