Twenty Years After by Alexandre Dumas Page B

in it. Aramis alighted and clapped his hands three times. Immediately the window was opened and a ladder of rope was let down from it.
    "My friend," said Aramis, "if you like to ascend I shall be delighted to receive you."
    "Ah," said D'Artagnan, "is that the way you return to your apartment?"
    "After nine at night, pardieu!" said Aramis, "the rule of the convent is very severe."
    "Pardon me, my dear friend," said D'Artagnan, "I think you said "pardieu!""
    "Do you think so?" said Aramis, smiling; "it is possible. You have no idea, my dear fellow, how one acquires bad habits in these cursed convents, or what evil ways all these men of the church have, with whom I am obliged to live. But will you not go up?"
    "Pass on before me, I beg of you."
    "As the late cardinal used to say to the late king, "only to show you the way, sire."" And Aramis ascended the ladder quickly and reached the window in an instant.
    D'Artagnan followed, but less nimbly, showing plainly that this mode of ascent was not one to which he was accustomed.
    "I beg your pardon," said Aramis, noticing his awkwardness; "if I had known that I was to have the honor of your visit I should have procured the gardener's ladder; but for me alone this is good enough."
    "Sir," said Planchet when he saw D'Artagnan on the summit of the ladder, "this way is easy for Monsieur Aramis and even for you; in case of necessity I might also climb up, but my two horses cannot mount the ladder."
    "Take them to yonder shed, my friend," said Aramis, pointing to a low building on the plain; "there you will find hay and straw for them; then come back here and clap your hands three times, and we will give you wine and food. Marry, forsooth, people don't die of hunger here."
    And Aramis, drawing in the ladder, closed the window. D'Artagnan then looked around attentively.
    Never was there an apartment at the same time more warlike and more elegant. At each corner were arranged trophies, presenting to view swords of all sorts, and on the walls hung four great pictures representing in their ordinary military costume the Cardinal de Lorraine, the Cardinal de Richelieu, the Cardinal de la Valette, and the Archbishop of Bordeaux. Exteriorly, nothing in the room showed that it was the habitation of an abbe. The hangings were of damask, the carpets from Alencon, and the bed, especially, had more the look of a fine lady's couch, with its trimmings of fine lace and its embroidered counterpane, than that of a man who had made a vow that he would endeavor to gain Heaven by fasting and mortification.
    "You are examining my den," said Aramis. "Ah, my dear fellow, excuse me; I am lodged like a Chartreux. But what are you looking for?"
    "I am looking for the person who let down the ladder. I see no one and yet the ladder didn't come down of itself."
    "No, it is Bazin."
    "Ah! ah!" said D'Artagnan.
    "But," continued Aramis, "Bazin is a well trained servant, and seeing that I was not alone he discreetly retired. Sit down, my dear friend, and let us talk." And Aramis pushed forward a large easy–chair, in which D'Artagnan stretched himself out.
    "In the first place, you will sup with me, will you not?" asked Aramis.
    "Yes, if you really wish it," said D'Artagnan, "and even with great pleasure, I confess; the journey has given me a devil of an appetite."
    "Ah, my poor friend!" said Aramis, "you will find meagre fare; you were not expected."
    "Am I then threatened with the omelet of Crevecoeur?"
    "Oh, let us hope," said Aramis, "that with the help of God and of Bazin we shall find something better than that in the larder of the worthy Jesuit fathers. Bazin, my friend, come here."
    The door opened and Bazin entered; on perceiving the musketeer he uttered an exclamation that was almost a cry of despair.
    "My dear Bazin," said D'Artagnan, "I am delighted to see with what wonderful composure you can tell a lie even in church!"
    "Sir," replied Bazin, "I have been taught by the good Jesuit fathers that it is permitted