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Ten Years Later
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"That's true."
"The very day I refuse, Colbert will procure the money; whence I know not, but he will procure it: and I shall be lost."
"There is no doubt of that. In how many days did you promise these four millions?"
"In three days. The king seemed exceedingly pressed."
"In three days?"
"When I think," resumed Fouquet, "that just now as I passed along the streets, the people cried out, 'There is the rich Monsieur Fouquet,' it is enough to turn my brain."
"Stay, monsieur, the matter is not worth so much trouble," said Aramis, calmly, sprinkling some sand over the letter he had just written.
"Suggest a remedy, then, for this evil without a remedy."
"There is only one remedy for you, – pay."
"But it is very uncertain whether I have the money. Everything must be exhausted; Belle-Isle is paid for; the pension has been paid; and money, since the investigation of the accounts of those who farm the revenue, is scarce. Besides, admitting that I pay this time, how can I do so on another occasion? When kings have tasted money, they are like tigers who have tasted flesh, they devour everything. The day will arrive – must arrive – when I shall have to say, 'Impossible, sire,' and on that very day I am a lost man."
Aramis raised his shoulders slightly, saying:
"A man in your position, my lord, is only lost when he wishes to be so."
"A man, whatever his position may be, cannot hope to struggle against a king."
"Nonsense; when I was young I wrestled successfully with the Cardinal Richelieu, who was king of France, – nay more – cardinal."
"Where are my armies, my troops, my treasures? I have not even Belle-Isle."
"Bah! necessity is the mother of invention, and when you think all is lost, something will be discovered which will retrieve everything."
"Who will discover this wonderful something?"
"Yourself."
"I! I resign my office of inventor."
"Then I will."
"Be it so. But set to work without delay."
"Oh! we have time enough!"
"You kill me, D'Herblay, with your calmness," said the superintendent, passing his handkerchief over his face.
"Do you not remember that I one day told you not to make yourself uneasy, if you possessed courage? Have you any?"
"I believe so."
"Then don't make yourself uneasy."
"It is decided, then, that, at the last moment, you will come to my assistance."
"It will only be the repayment of a debt I owe you."
"It is the vocation of financiers to anticipate the wants of men such as yourself, D'Herblay."
"If obligingness is the vocation of financiers, charity is the virtue of the clergy. Only, on this occasion, do you act, monsieur. You are not yet sufficiently reduced, and at the last moment we will see what is to be done."
"We shall see, then, in a very short time."
"Very well. However, permit me to tell you that, personally, I regret exceedingly that you are at present so short of money, because I was myself about to ask you for some."
"For yourself?"
"For myself, or some of my people, for mine or for ours."
"How much do you want?"
"Be easy on that score; a roundish sum, it is true, but not too exorbitant."
"Tell me the amount."
"Fifty thousand francs."
"Oh! a mere nothing. Of course one has always fifty thousand francs. Why the deuce cannot that knave Colbert be as easily satisfied as you are – and I should give myself far less trouble than I do. When do you need this sum?"
"To-morrow morning; but you wish to know its destination."
"Nay, nay, chevalier, I need no explanation."
"To-morrow is the first of June."
"Well?"
"One of our bonds becomes due."
"I did not know we had any bond."
"Certainly, to-morrow we pay our last third instalment."
"What third?"
"Of the one hundred and fifty thousand francs to Baisemeaux."
"Baisemeaux? Who is he?"
"The governor of the Bastile."
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Книгу прочитать не могу, везде ЛитРес свой нос сунул, как и где скачать полную версию бесплатно!?!?