A gentleman who had been long attached to cardinal Mazarine, reminded
the cardinal of his many promises, and his dilatory performance.
Mazarine, who had a great regard for him, and was unwilling to lose his
friendship, took his hand, and explained the many demands made upon a
person in his situation as minister, which it would be politic to
satisfy previously to other requests, as they were founded on services
done to the state. The cardinal’s adherent, not very confident in his
veracity, replied, “My lord, all the favour I now ask at your hand is,
that whenever we meet in public, you will do me the honour to tap me on
the shoulder in an unreserved manner.” The cardinal smiled, and in the
course of two or three years tapping, his friend became a wealthy man,
on the credit of these attentions to him; and Mazarine and his confidant
laughed at the public security which enriched the courtier at so little
expense to the state.
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