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The Man in the Iron Mask, a novel by Alexandre Dumas |
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CHAPTER VII - Another Supper at the Bastile |
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_ Seven o'clock sounded from the great clock of the Bastile, that famous clock, which, like all the accessories of the state prison, the very use of which is a torture, recalled to the prisoners' minds the destination of every hour of their punishment. The time-piece of the Bastile, adorned with figures, like most of the clocks of the period, represented St. Peter in bonds. It was the supper hour of the unfortunate captives. The doors, grating on their enormous hinges, opened for the passage of the baskets and trays of provisions, the abundance and the delicacy of which, as M. de Baisemeaux has himself taught us, was regulated by the condition in life of the prisoner. We understand on this head the theories of M. de Baisemeaux, sovereign dispenser of gastronomic delicacies, head cook of the royal fortress, whose trays, full-laden, were ascending the steep staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the shape of honestly filled bottles of good vintages. This same hour was that of M. le gouverneur's supper also. He had a guest to- day, and the spit turned more heavily than usual. Roast partridges, flanked with quails and flanking a larded leveret; boiled fowls; hams, fried and sprinkled with white wine, _cardons_ of Guipuzcoa and _la bisque ecrevisses_: these, together with soups and _hors d'oeuvres_, constituted the governor's bill of fare. Baisemeaux, seated at table, was rubbing his hands and looking at the bishop of Vannes, who, booted like a cavalier, dressed in gray and sword at side, kept talking of his hunger and testifying the liveliest impatience. M. de Baisemeaux de Montlezun was not accustomed to the unbending movements of his greatness my lord of Vannes, and this evening Aramis, becoming sprightly, volunteered confidence on confidence. The prelate had again a little touch of the musketeer about him. The bishop just trenched on the borders only of license in his style of conversation. As for M. de Baisemeaux, with the facility of vulgar people, he gave himself up entirely upon this point of his guest's freedom. "Monsieur," said he, "for indeed to-night I dare not call you monseigneur." "By no means," said Aramis; "call me monsieur; I am booted." "Do you know, monsieur, of whom you remind me this evening?" "No! faith," said Aramis, taking up his glass; "but I hope I remind you "You remind me of two, monsieur. Francois, shut the window; the wind may "And let him go," added Aramis. "The supper is completely served, and we "I like exceedingly," continued Aramis, "to help myself." "Retire, Francois," cried Baisemeaux. "I was saying that your greatness "Indeed," said Aramis; "and the other?" "The other was a certain musketeer, very handsome, very brave, very "Ah! stay there, I beg," exclaimed Aramis. "I have just said, monsieur, that you gave me the idea of a cardinal." "Enough, dear M. Baisemeaux. As you said, I have on the boots of a "But you have wicked intentions, nevertheless, monseigneur." "Oh, yes, wicked, I own, as everything mundane is." "You traverse the town and the streets in disguise?" "In disguise, as you say." "And you still make use of your sword?" "Yes, I should think so; but only when I am compelled. Do me the "Have you no wine there?" "'Tis not for wine, but because it is hot here, and the window is shut." "I shut the windows at supper-time so as not to hear the sounds or the "Ah, yes. You hear them when the window is open?" "But too well, and that disturbs me. You understand?" "Nevertheless I am suffocated. Francois." Francois entered. "Open the "You are at home here," answered the governor. The window was opened. "You know it as I do, Baisemeaux, seeing that you were in the musketeers "Bah! with my friends I reckon neither bottles of wine nor years." "And you are right. But I do more than love M. de la Fere, dear "Well, for my part, though 'tis singular," said the governor, "I prefer "Baisemeaux, make me tipsy to-night; let us have a merry time of it as of "Bravo!" said Baisemeaux, and he poured out a great glass of wine and "The devil take him," said Aramis. "What! who?" asked Baisemeaux. "I hope 'tis neither the wine you drank "No; it is a horse, who is making noise enough in the court for a whole "Pooh! some courier or other," replied the governor, redoubling his "You forget me, Baisemeaux! my glass is empty," said Aramis, lifting his "Upon my honor, you delight me. Francois, wine!" Francois entered. "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 to it to-morrow. To- "Ah, monsieur," grumbled the soldier Francois, in spite of himself, "Take care," said Aramis, "take care!" "Of what? dear M. d'Herblay," said Baisemeaux, half intoxicated. "The letter which the courier brings to the governor of a fortress is "Nearly always." "Do not orders issue from the ministers?" "Yes, undoubtedly; but - " "And what to these ministers do but countersign the signature of the "Perhaps you are right. Nevertheless, 'tis very tiresome when you are "Let us pass over that, dear Baisemeaux, and return to our soldier, to "Well, and what has Francois done?" "He has demurred!" "He was wrong, then?" "However, he _has_ demurred, you see; 'tis because there is something "Wrong? I to be wrong before Francois? that seems rather hard." "Pardon me, merely an irregularity. But I thought it my duty to make an "Oh! perhaps you are right," stammered Baisemeaux. "The king's order is "If you had said as much to the great cardinal - hem! my dear Baisemeaux, "I do it that I may not disturb a bishop. _Mordioux!_ am I not, then, "Do not forget, Baisemeaux, that I have worn the soldier's coat, and I am "You wish, then - " "I wish that you would do your duty, my friend; yes, at least before this "'Tis mathematically true," exclaimed Baisemeaux. Francois still waited: "And do you do yours," added the bishop, smiling. Francois re-entered; Baisemeaux took from his hands the minister's "What is it?" asked the bishop. "An order of release! There, now; excellent news indeed to disturb us!" "Excellent news for him whom it concerns, you will at least agree, my "And at eight o'clock in the evening!" "It is charitable!" "Oh! charity is all very well, but it is for that fellow who says he is "Will you lose by him, then? And is the prisoner who is to be set at "Oh, yes, indeed! a miserable, five-franc rat!" "Let me see it," asked M. d'Herblay. "It is no indiscretion?" "By no means; read it." "There is 'Urgent,' on the paper; you have seen that, I suppose?" "Oh, admirable! 'Urgent!' - a man who has been there ten years! It is "They are fond of these tricks!" he said, with his mouth full; "they "What do you expect? It is for them to write," said Aramis, "for you to "Good! good! execute it! Oh, patience! You must not imagine that I am a "Gracious Heaven! my very good M. Baisemeaux, who ever said so? Your "Thank Heaven!" "But your goodness of heart is also known." "Ah! don't speak of it!" "And your obedience to your superiors. Once a soldier, you see, "And I shall directly obey; and to-morrow morning, at daybreak, the "To-morrow?" "At dawn." "Why not this evening, seeing that the _lettre de cachet_ bears, both on "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 "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 Francois, and by a very natural motion |