And Planchet, with Aramis behind him, set off at full gallop, followed by D’Artagnan, who began to think he was in the merry maze of some fantastic dream.
Chapter IX.
The Abbé D’Herblay.
At the extremity of the village Planchet turned to the left in obedience to the orders of Aramis, and stopped underneath the window which had light 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.