Page:Louise de la Valliere text.djvu/447

Rh LOUISE DE LA VALLIERl, 4:37 CHAPTER LXVII. M. DB BAISEMEAUX'S ''SOCIETY." Thb reader has not forgotten that, on quitting the Bas- tile, D'Artagnan and the Comte de la Fere had left Aramis in close confabulation with Baisemeaux. When once these two guests had departed, Baisemeaux did not in the least perceive that the conversation suffered by their absence. He used to think that wine after supper, and that of the Bastile in particular, was excellent, and that it was a stimu- lant quite sufficient to make an honest man talk. But he little Knew his greatness, who was never more impenetrable than at dessert. His greatness, however, perfectly under- stood M. de Baisemeaux when he reckoned on making the governor discourse on the means which the latter regarded as efficacious. The conversation, therefore, without flag- ging in appearance, flagged in reality; for Baisemeaux not only had it nearly all to himself, but further, kept speaking only of that singular event — the incarceration of Athos — followed by so prompt an order to set him again at liberty. Nor, moreover, had Baisemeaux failed to observe that the two orders, of arrest and of liberation, were both in the king's hand. But then the king would not take the trouble to write similar orders, except under pressing circumstances. All this was very interesting, and, above all, very puzzling to Baisemeaux; but as, on the other hand, all this was very clear to Aramis, the latter did not attach to the occurrence the same importance as did the worthy governor. Besides, Aramis rarely put himself out of the way for anything, and he had not yet told M. de Baisemeaux for what reason he had now done so. And so at the very climax of Baise- meaux's dissertation, Aramis suddenly interrupted him. you never any other diversions at the Bastile than those at which I assisted during the two or three visits I have had the honor to pay you?" This address was so unexpected that the governor, like a vane which suddenly receives an impulsion opposed to that of the wind, was quite dumfounded at it. "Diversions," said he, "but I take them continualljj monseigneur." "Visits, no doubt?"
 * Tell me, my dear Monsieur Baisemeaux," said he, "have
 * 0h, to be sure! And these diversions?"
 * Are of every kind."