When Louis requested to be informed what it would be necessary to say on the morrow, Colbert began by expressing his surprise that his majesty had not been properly informed by M.
Fouquet.

"M.

Fouquet," he said, "is perfectly acquainted with the whole of this Dutch affair--he received the dispatches himself direct." The king, who was accustomed to hear M.Colbert speak in not over-scrupulous terms of M.Fouquet, allowed this remark to pass unanswered, and merely listened.

Colbert noticed the effect it had produced, and hastened to back out, saying that M.Fouquet was not on all occasions as blamable as at the first glance might seem to be the case, inasmuch as at that moment he was greatly occupied.

The king looked up.