Fouquet was completely self-possessed; he felt that in his last moments of greatness he had obligations towards himself.

He wished to fall from such a height that his fall should crush some of his enemies.

Colbert was there--so much the worse for Colbert.

The surintendant, therefore, coming up to him, replied, with that arrogant semi-closure of the eyes peculiar to him--"What! is that you, M.Colbert ?" "To offer you my respects, monseigneur," said the latter.
"Were you in that lighter ?"--pointing to the one with twelve rowers.
"Yes, monseigneur." "Of twelve rowers ?" said Fouquet; "what luxury, M.Colbert.For a moment I thought it was the queen-mother." "Monseigneur!"-- and Colbert blushed.
"This is a voyage that will cost those who have to pay for it dear, Monsieur l'Intendant!" said Fouquet.

"But you have, happily, arrived!--You see, however," added he, a moment after, "that I, who had but eight rowers, arrived before you." And he turned his back towards him, leaving him uncertain whether the maneuvers of the second lighter had escaped the notice of the first.