An arm-chair, a footstool, a small table beside him, on which to rest his hand, everything was prepared by the governor himself.

With his own hands, too, he placed upon the table, with much solicitude, the bag containing the gold, which one of the soldiers had brought up with the most respectful devotion; and the soldier having left the room, Baisemeaux himself closed the door after him, drew aside one of the window-curtains, and looked steadfastly at Aramis to see if the prelate required anything further.
"Well, my lord," he said, still standing up, "of all men of their word, you still continue to be the most punctual." "In matters of business, dear M.de Baisemeaux, exactitude is not a virtue only, it is a duty as well." "Yes, in matters of business, certainly; but what you have with me is not of that character; it is a service you are rendering me." "Come, confess, dear M.de Baisemeaux, that, notwithstanding this exactitude, you have not been without a little uneasiness." "About your health, I certainly have," stammered out Baisemeaux.
"I wished to come here yesterday, but I was not able, as I was too fatigued," continued Aramis.

Baisemeaux anxiously slipped another cushion behind his guest's back.

"But," continued Aramis, "I promised myself to come and pay you a visit to-day, early in the morning." "You are really very kind, my lord." "And it was a good thing for me I was punctual, I think." "What do you mean ?" "Yes, you were going out." At which latter remark Baisemeaux colored and said, "It is true I was going out." "Then I prevent you," said Aramis; whereupon the embarrassment of Baisemeaux became visibly greater.

"I am putting you to inconvenience," he continued, fixing a keen glace upon the poor governor; "if I had known that, I should not have come." "How can your lordship imagine that you could ever inconvenience me ?" "Confess you were going in search of money." "No," stammered out Baisemeaux, "no! I assure you I was going to--" "Does the governor still intend to go to M.Fouquet ?" suddenly called out the major from below.