“Well, my lord,” he said, still standing up, “of all men of their word, you still continue to be the most punctual.” “In matters of business, dear M. de Baisemeaux, exactitude is not a virtue only, it is a duty as well.” “Yes, in matters of business, certainly; but what you have with me is not of that character; it is a service you are rendering me.” “Come, confess, dear M. de Baisemeaux, that, notwithstanding this exactitude, you have not been without a little uneasiness.” “About your health, I certainly have,” stammered out Baisemeaux. “I wished to come here yesterday, but I was not able, as I was too fatigued,” continued Aramis. Baisemeaux anxiously slipped another cushion behind his guest’s back. “But,” continued Aramis, “I promised myself to come and pay you a visit to-day, early in the morning.” “You are really very kind, my lord.” “And it was a good thing for me I was punctual, I think.” “What do you mean?” “Yes, you were going out.” At which latter remark Baisemeaux colored and said, “It is true I was going out.” “Then I prevent you,” said Aramis; whereupon the embarrassment of Baisemeaux became visibly greater. “I am putting you to inconvenience,” he continued, fixing a keen glace upon the poor governor; “if I had known that, I should not have come.” “How can your lordship imagine that you could ever inconvenience me?” “Confess you were going in search of money.” “No,” stammered out Baisemeaux, “no! I assure you I was going to--” “Does the governor still intend to go to M. Fouquet?” suddenly called out the major from below. Baisemeaux ran to the window like a madman. “No, no,” he exclaimed in a state of desperation, “who the deuce is speaking of M. Fouquet? are you drunk below there? why am I interrupted when I am engaged on business?” “You were going to M. Fouquet’s,” said Aramis, biting his lips, “to M. Fouquet, the abbe, or the superintendent?” Baisemeaux almost made up his mind to tell an untruth, but he could not summon courage to do so. “To the superintendent,” he said. “It is true, then, that you were in want of money, since you were going to a person who gives it away!” “I assure you, my lord--” “You were afraid?” “My dear lord, it was the uncertainty and ignorance in which I was as to where you were to be found.” “You would have found the money you require at M. Fouquet’s, for he is a man whose hand is always open.” “I swear that I should never have ventured to ask M. Fouquet for money. I only wished to ask him for your address.” “To ask M. Fouquet for my address?” exclaimed Aramis, opening his eyes in real astonishment. “Yes,” said Baisemeaux, greatly disturbed by the glance which the prelate fixed upon him,--“at M. Fouquet’s certainly.” “There is no harm in that, dear M. Baisemeaux, only I would ask, why ask my address of M. Fouquet?” “That I might write to you.”