Chapter 23 - Page 2

at the door, and got into the carriage, which immediately prepared to
start. The same ceremony was observed for the governor himself as with a
suspected stranger; the sentinel at the lodge advanced as the carriage
was about to pass under the arch, and the governor opened the carriage-
door, himself setting the example of obedience to orders; so that, in
this way, the sentinel could convince himself that no one quitted the
Bastile improperly. The carriage rolled along under the archway, but at
the moment the iron-gate was opened, the officer approached the carriage,
which had again been stopped, and said something to the governor, who
immediately put his head out of the door-way, and perceived Aramis on
horseback at the end of the drawbridge. He immediately uttered almost a
shout of delight, and got out, or rather darted out of his carriage,
running towards Aramis, whose hands he seized, making a thousand
apologies. He almost embraced him. "What a difficult matter to enter
the Bastile!" said Aramis. "Is it the same for those who are sent here
against their wills, as for those who come of their own accord?"

"A thousand pardons, my lord. How delighted I am to see your Grace!"

"Hush! What are you thinking of, my dear M. Baisemeaux? What do you
suppose would be thought of a bishop in my present costume?"

"Pray, excuse me, I had forgotten. Take this gentleman's horse to the
stables," cried Baisemeaux.

"No, no," said Aramis; "I have five thousand pistoles in the saddle-bags."

The governor's countenance became so radiant, that if the prisoners had
seen him they would have imagined some prince of the royal blood had
arrived. "Yes, you are right, the horse shall be taken to the government
house. Will you get into the carriage, my dear M. d'Herblay? and it
shall take us back to my house."

"Get into a carriage to cross a courtyard! do you believe I am so great
an invalid? No, no, we will go on foot."

Baisemeaux then offered his arm as a support, but the prelate did not
accept it. They arrived in this manner at the government house,
Baisemeaux rubbing his hands and glancing at the horse from time to time,
while Aramis was looking at the bleak bare walls. A tolerably handsome
vestibule and a staircase of white stone led to the governor's
apartments, who crossed the ante-chamber, the dining-room, where
breakfast was being prepared, opened a small side door, and closeted
himself with his guest in a large cabinet, the windows of which opened
obliquely upon the courtyard and the stables. Baisemeaux installed the
prelate with that all-inclusive politeness of which a good man, or a
grateful man, alone possesses the secret. An arm-chair, a footstool, a
small table beside him, on which to rest