"You are going to set out for Nantes." Fouquet looked at him with an air of surprise.
"But with friends; but in your own carriage as far as Orleans; in your own barge as far as Nantes; always ready to defend yourself, if you are attacked; to escape, if you are threatened.

In fact, you will carry your money against all chances; and, whilst flying, you will only have obeyed the king; then, reaching the sea, when you like, you will embark for Belle-Isle, and from Belle-Isle you will shoot out wherever it may please you, like the eagle that leaps into space when it has been driven from its eyrie." A general assent followed Pelisson's words.

"Yes, do so," said Madame Fouquet to her husband.
"Do so," said Madame de Belliere.
"Do it! do it!" cried all his friends.
"I will do so," replied Fouquet.
"This very evening ?" "In an hour ?" "Instantly." "With seven hundred thousand livres you can lay the foundation of another fortune," said the Abbe Fouquet.
"What is there to prevent our arming corsairs at Belle-Isle ?" "And, if necessary, we will go and discover a new world," added La Fontaine, intoxicated with fresh projects and enthusiasm.
A knock at the door interrupted this concert of joy and hope.

"A courier from the king," said the master of the ceremonies.
A profound silence immediately ensued, as if the message brought by this courier was nothing but a reply to all the projects given birth to a moment before.

Every one waited to see what the master would do.