If this too were to prove to be as the others! He was shaken to the soul at the very thought.

Twice he tried to pluck it out, and twice his trembling fingers fumbled with the paper.

Then he tossed it over to Louvois.

"Read it to me," said he.
The minister opened the letter out and flattened it upon the table, with a malicious light dancing in his eyes, which might have cost him his position had the king but read it aright.
"'My dear nephew,'" he read, "'what you ask me in your last is absolutely impossible.

I have never abused the king's favour so far as to ask for any profit for myself, and I should be equally sorry to solicit any advance for my relatives.