“But, my dear Baisemeaux, since you knew I was bishop of Vannes, you had no occasion to ask M. Fouquet for my address.”
“Well, monsieur,” said Baisemeaux, completely at bay, “if I have acted indiscreetly, I beg your pardon most sincerely.”
“Nonsense,” observed Aramis, calmly: “how can you possibly have acted indiscreetly?” And while he composed his face, and continued to smile cheerfully on the governor, he was considering how Baisemeaux, who was not aware of his address, knew, however, that Vannes was his residence. “I shall clear all this up,” he said to himself, and then speaking aloud, added,—“Well, my dear governor, shall we now arrange our little accounts?”
“I am at your orders, my lord; but tell me beforehand, my lord, whether you will do me the honor to breakfast with me as usual?”
“Very willingly, indeed.”
“Thai’s well,” said Baisemeaux, as he struck the bell before him three times.
“What does that mean?” inquired Aramis.
“That I have some one to breakfast with me, and that preparations are to be made accordingly.”
“And you rang thrice. Really, my dear governor, I begin to think you are acting ceremoniously with me.”
“No, indeed. Besides, the least I can do is to receive you in the best way I can.”