Chapter 67

Chapter LXVII:
M. de Baisemeaux's "Society."

The reader has not forgotten that, on quitting the Bastile, 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 stimulation quite sufficient
to make any honest man talkative. But he little knew his Greatness, who
was never more impenetrable that at dessert. His Greatness, however,
perfectly understood M. de Baisemeaux, when he reckoned on making the
governor discourse by the means which the latter regarded as
efficacious. The conversation, therefore, without flagging 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 Baisemeaux's dissertation, Aramis suddenly interrupted him.

"Tell me, my dear Baisemeaux," said he, "have you never had 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
dumbfounded at it. "Diversions!" said he; "but I take them continually,
monseigneur."

"Oh, to be sure! And these diversions?"

"Are of every kind."

"Visits, no doubt?"

"No, not visits. Visits are not frequent at the Bastile."

"What, are visits rare, then?"

"Very much so."

"Even on the part of your society?"

"What do you term my society - the prisoners?"

"Oh, no! - your prisoners, indeed! I know well it is you who visit them,
and not they you. By your society, I mean, my dear Baisemeaux, the
society of which you are a member."

Baisemeaux looked fixedly at Aramis, and then, as if the idea which had