full laden, were ascending the steep
staircases, carrying some consolation to the prisoners in the bottom of
honestly filled bottles. 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; ham, fried and sprinkled with white wine;
_cardons_ of Guipuzcoa and _la bisque ecrevisses_: these, together with
the soups and _hors-d'oeuvre_, 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 quite 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
of a capital guest."

"You remind me of two, monsieur. Francois, shut the window; the wind may
annoy his greatness."

"And let him go," added Aramis. "The supper is completely served, and we
shall eat it very well without waiters. I like extremely to be
tete-a-tete when I am with a friend." Baisemeaux bowed respectfully. "I
like extremely," continued Aramis, "to help myself."

"Retire, Francois," cried Baisemeaux. "I was saying that your greatness
puts me in mind of two persons; one very illustrious, the late cardinal,
the great cardinal de la Rochelle, who wore boots like you."

"Indeed," said Aramis; "and the other?"

"The other was a certain musketeer, very handsome, very brave, very
adventurous, very fortunate, who, from being abbe, turned musketeer, and
from musketeer turned abbe." Aramis condescended to smile. "From abbe,"
continued Baisemeaux, encouraged by Aramis' smile--"from abbe,
bishop--and from bishop--"

"Ah! stay there,