Page:The Man in the Iron Mask.djvu/77

Rh "You traverse the town and the streets in disguise?"

"In disguise, as you say."

"And do you still make use of your sword?"

"Yes, I should think so; but only when I am compelled. Do me the pleasure to summon François."

"Have you no wine there?"

"’Tis not for wine, but because it is hot here, and the window is shut."

"I shut the windows at supper-time, so as not to hear the sounds or the arrival of couriers."

"Ah, yes. You hear them when the window is open?"

"But too well, and that disturbs me. You understand."

"Nevertheless, I am suffocated. François!" François entered. "Open the windows, I pray you. Master François," said Aramis. "You will allow him, dear Monsieur Baisemeaux."

"You are at home here," answered the governor. The window was opened. "Do you not think," said M. de Baisemeaux, "that you will find yourself very lonely, now Monsieur de la Fere has returned to his household gods at Blois? He is a very old friend, is he not?"

"You know it as I do, Baisemeaux, seeing that you were in the musketeers with us."

"Bah! with my friends I reckon neither bottles of wine nor years."

"And you are right. But I do more than love Monsieur de la Fere, dear Baisemeaux; I venerate him."

"Well, for my part, though ’tis singular," said the governor, "I prefer Monsieur d'Artagnan to him. There is a man for you who drinks long and well! That kind of people allow you, at least, to penetrate their thoughts."

"Baisemeaux, make me tipsy to-night; let us have a debauch as of old, and if I have a trouble at the bottom of my heart, I promise you, you shall see it as you would a diamond at the bottom of your glass."

"Bravo!" said Baisemeaux, and he poured out a glass of wine and drank it off at a draught, trembling with joy at the idea of being, by hook or by crook, in the secret of some high archiepiscopal misdemeanor. While he was drinking he did not see with what attention Aramis was noting the sounds in the great court. A courier came in about eight o'clock, as François brought in the fifth bottle, and, although the courier made a great noise, Baisemeaux heard nothing.

"The devil take him!" said Aramis.

"What! who?" asked Baisemeaux. "I hope ’tis neither