M.Fouquet, for me, is a man gone by--and for you also." Colbert made no reply.

"On his return from Nantes," continued the duchesse, "the king, who is only anxious for a pretext, will find that the States have not behaved well--that they have made too few sacrifices.

The States will say that the imposts are too heavy, and that the surintendant has ruined them.

The king will lay all the blame on M.
Fouquet, and then--" "And then ?" said Colbert.
"Oh! he will be disgraced.

Is not that your opinion ?" Colbert darted a glance at the duchesse, which plainly said: "If M.
Fouquet be only disgraced, you will not be the cause of it." "Your place, M.Colbert," the duchesse hastened to say, "must be a high place.