"A million and a half at the very lowest. I know persons who have offered one million seven hundred thousand francs, without being able to persuade M. Fouquet to sell. Besides, supposing it were to happen that M. Fouquet wished to sell, which I do not believe, in spite of what I have been told--" "Ah! you have heard something about it, then; who told you?" "M. de Gourville, M. Pellisson, and others." "Very good; if, therefore, M. Fouquet did wish to sell--" "I could not buy it just yet, since the surintendant will only sell for ready money, and no one has a million and a half to throw down at once." Colbert suddenly interrupted the counselor by an imperious gesture; he had begun to meditate. Observing his superior's serious attitude, and his perseverance in continuing the conversation on this subject, Vanel awaited the solution without venturing to precipitate it. "Explain fully to me the privileges which this post confers." "The right of impeaching every French subject who is not a prince of the blood; the right of quashing all proceedings taken against any Frenchman who is neither king nor prince. The procureur-general is the king's right hand to punish the guilty; he is the means whereby also he can evade the administration of justice. M. Fouquet, therefore, will be able, by stirring up the parliaments, to maintain himself even against the king; and the king could as easily, by humoring M. Fouquet, get his edicts registered in spite of every opposition and objection. The procureur-generalship can be made a very useful or very dangerous instrument." "Vanel, would you like to be procureur-general?" said Colbert, suddenly, softening both his look and his voice. "I!" exclaimed the latter; "I have already had the honor to represent to you that I want about eleven hundred thousand francs to make up the amount." "Borrow that sum from your friends." "I have no friends richer than myself." "You are an honest and honorable man, Vanel." "Ah! monseigneur, if the world were to think as you do!" "I think so, and that is quite enough; and if it should be needed, I will be your security." "Do you forget the proverb, monseigneur?" "What is that?" "That he who becomes responsible for another has to pay for his responsibility." "Let that make no difference." Vanel rose, quite bewildered by this offer, which had been so suddenly and unexpectedly made to him. "You are not trifling with me, monseigneur?" he said. "Stay; you say that M. Gourville has spoken to you about M. Fouquet's post?" "Yes, and M. Pellisson also." "Officially so, or only by their own suggestion?" "These were their very words: 'These parliamentary people are as proud as they are wealthy; they ought to club together two or three millions among themselves, to present to their protector and great luminary, M. Fouquet.'" "And what did you reply?" "I said that, for my own part, I would give ten thousand francs if necessary."