Page:The Man in the Iron Mask.djvu/81

Rh "Because this evening we are at supper, and our affairs are urgent, too."

"Dear Baisemeaux, booted though I be, I feel myself a priest, and charity has higher claims upon me than hunger and thirst. This unfortunate man has suffered long enough, since you have just told me that he has been your prisoner these ten years. Abridge his suffering. His good time has come; give him the benefit quickly. God will repay you in paradise with years of felicity."

"You wish it?"

"I entreat you."

"What! in the very middle of our repast?"

"I implore you; such an action is worth ten Benedicites."

"It shall be as you desire, only our supper will get cold."

"Oh! never heed that."

Baisemeaux leaned back to ring for François, and, by a very natural motion, turned round toward the door. The order had remained on the table; Aramis seized the opportunity, when Baisemeaux was not looking, to change the paper for another, folded in the same manner, and which he took from his pocket.

"François," said the governor, "let the major come up here with the turnkeys of the Bertaudiere."

François bowed and quitted the room, leaving the two companions alone.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE GENERAL OF THE ORDER.

THERE was now a brief silence, during which Aramis never removed his eyes from Baisemeaux for a moment. The latter seemed only half-decided to disturb himself thus in the middle of supper, and it was clear he was seeking some pretext, whether good or bad, for delay, at any rate, till after dessert. And it appeared also that he had hit upon a pretext at last.

"Eh! but it is impossible!" he cried.

"How, impossible?" said Aramis. "Give me a glimpse of this impossibility."

"’Tis impossible to set a prisoner at liberty at such an hour. Where can he go to, he, who is unacquainted with Paris?"

"He will go wherever he can."