LOUISE DE LA VALLIEKE. 425 his fortress; and for his own individual profit, the more prisoners he had, the happier he was; and the higher the prisoners were in rank, the prouder he felt. Aramis as- sumed an expression of countenance which he thought the position justified, and said: "Well, dear Athos, forgive me; but I almost suspected what has happened. Some prank of Raoul and La Val- liere, I suppose?" "Alas!" said Baisemeaux. "And," continued Aramis, "you, a high and powerful nobleman as you are, forgetful that courtiers now exist — you have been to the king, I suppose, and told him what you thought of his conduct?" "Yes, you have guessed right." "So that," said Baisemeaux, trembling at having supped so familiarly with a man who had fallen into disgrace with the king, "so that. Monsieur le Comte " "So that, my dear governor," said Athos, "my friend D'Artagnan will communicate to you the contents of the paper which I jDerceive just peeping out of his belt, and which assuredly can be nothing else than the order for my incarceration." Baisemeaux held out his hand with his accustomed eager- ness. D'Artagnan drew two papers from his belt, and pre- sented one of them to the governor, who unfolded it, and then read, in a low tone of voice, looking at Athos over the paper as he did so, and pausing from time to time: " 'Order to detain in my chateau of the Bastile, Monsieur le Comte de la Fere.' Oh, monsieur! this is indeed a very melancholy honor for me." "You will have a patient prisoner, monsieur," said Athos, in his calm, soft voice. "A prisoner, too, who Avill not remain a month with you, my dear governor," said Aramis; while Baisemeaux, still holding the order in his hand, transcribed it upon the prison registry. "Not a day, or rather, not even a night," said D'Artag- nan, displaying the second order of the king, "for now, dear Monsieur de Baisemeaux, you will have the goodness to transcribe also this order for setting the comte imme- diately at liberty." "Ah!" said Aramis, "it is a labor that you have deprived me of, D'Artagnan;" and he pressed the musketeer's hand in a significant manner, at the same moment as that of Athos.
