Page:The Man in the Iron Mask.djvu/78

64 the wine you drink nor he who is the cause of your drinking it."

"No; it is a horse, who is making noise enough in the court for a whole squadron."

"Pooh! some courier or other," replied the governor, redoubling his numerous bumpers. "Yes; and may the devil take him, and so quickly that we shall never hear him speak more! Hurrah! hurrah!"

"You forget me, Baisemeaux; my glass is empty," said Aramis, showing his dazzling goblet.

"Upon honor, you delight me. François, wine!"

François entered.

"Wine, fellow! and better."

"Yes, monsieur, yes; but a courier has just arrived."

"Let him go to the devil, I say!"

"Yes, monsieur, but"

"Let him leave his news at the office; we will see it tomorrow. To-morrow, there will be time to-morrow; there will be daylight," said Baisemeaux, chanting the words.

"Ah, monsieur!" grumbled the soldier, François, in spite of himself, "monsieur!"

"Take care," said Aramis, "take care!"

"Of what, dear Monsieur d'Herblay?" said Baisemeaux, half-intoxicated.

"The letter which the courier brings to the governor of a fortress is sometimes an order."

"Nearly always."

"Do not orders issue from the ministers?"

"Yes, undoubtedly; but"

"And what do these ministers do but countersign the signature of the king?"

"Perhaps you are right. Nevertheless, ’tis very tiresome when you are sitting before a good table, tête-à-tête with a friend— Ah! I beg your pardon, monsieur; I forgot it is I who engage you at supper, and that I speak to a future cardinal."

"Let us pass over that, dear Baisemeaux, and return to our soldier, to François."

"Well, what has François done?"

"He has demurred."

"He was wrong, then."

"However, he has demurred, you see; ’tis because there is something extraordinary in this matter. It is very possible that it was not François who was wrong in demurring, but you, who will be wrong in not listening to him."