55^ COLBERTS GOOD FORTUNE. 



that he was thus cautious, as M. Le Tellier, his rnaf- 

 ter, had expreftly ordered him not to come back with- 

 out the letter. 



The cardinal now pretended very urgent affairs, and 

 appointed Colbert to wait on him again the next mor- 

 ning. At length, after various fubterfuges and eva- 

 iions, feeing that Colbert would not go away without 

 the letter, he gave it to him, and Colbert examined it 

 carefully on all fides to fee whether it was the fame. 

 The minifter aiked him whether he thought him capa- 

 ble of impofing a falfe one upon him ? Colbert re- 

 mained an anfwer in his debt ; and fet out on his 

 journey; 



Some time afterwards, the cardinal made his ap- 

 pearance again at court ; and requeued of Le Tellier 

 to procure him a clever period to write his agenda un- 

 der him. Le Tellier recommended Colbert to him. 

 The minifter thought he knew his face, and alked him 

 where he had feen him ? and on what oceafion ? 



Colbert, as may be eaflly imagined, was all in a 

 tremor, on telling him that he had been at Sedan ; for 

 he was afraid left the minifter might refent the earner! i 

 manner in which he extorted from him the reftoration 

 of the letter. But, this recollection w r as fo far from 

 hurting him with his eminence, that he took him into 

 his fervice, on the exprefs condition, that he fhould 

 ferve him with the fame zeal and fidelity he had fhewn 

 to his former mafter. 



Colbert was fo devoted to him, and gave him ft* 

 many proofs of his prudence and fagacity ; that, on' 

 the death of Joubert, he was appointed intendant to 



fais 



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