“Yes; but bequeathing to you so vast a power that you issue your sovereign orders and directions like a monarch.”
“He certainly did leave me a few commissions to settle.”
“And what for me?”
“I have told you—a sum of twelve thousand livres was to be paid to you. I thought I had given you the necessary signature to enable you to receive it. Did you not get the money?”
“Oh! yes, yes. You give your orders, I am informed, with so much mystery, and such a majestic presence, that it is generally believed you are the successor of the defunct chief.”
Aramis colored impatiently, and the duchesse continued: “I have obtained my information,” she said, “from the king of Spain himself; and he cleared up some of my doubts on the point. Every general of the Jesuits is nominated by him, and must be a Spaniard, according to the statutes of the order. You are not a Spaniard, nor have you been nominated by the king of Spain.”
Aramis did not reply to this remark, except to say, “You see, duchesse, how greatly you were mistaken, since the king of Spain told you that.”
“Yes, my dear Aramis; but there was something else which I have been thinking of.”
“What is that?”
“You know, I believe, something about most things, and it occurred to me that you know the Spanish language.”