Man in the Iron Mask by Dumas, Alexandre part one

“You will have a patient prisoner, Monsieur,” said Athos, in his calm, soft voice.

“A prisoner, too, who will not remain a month with you, my dear governor,” said Aramis; while Baisemeaux, still holding the order in his hand, transcribed it upon the prison registry.

“Not a day, or rather not even a night,” said d’Artagnan, displaying the second order of the King; “for now, dear M. de Baisemeaux, you will have the goodness to transcribe also this order for setting the count immediately at liberty.”

“Ah!” said Aramis, “it is a labor that you have spared me, d’Artagnan”; and he pressed the musketeer’s hand in a significant manner, and that of Athos at the same time.

“What!” said the latter, in astonishment, “the King sets me at liberty!”

“Read, my dear friend!” returned d’Artagnan.

Athos took the order and read it. “It is quite true,” he said.

“Are you sorry for it?” asked d’Artagnan.

“Oh, no, on the contrary! I wish the King no harm; and the greatest evil or misfortune that any one can wish kings is that they should commit an act of injustice. But you have had a difficult and painful task, I know. Tell me, have you not, d’Artagnan?”

“I? Not at all,” said the musketeer, laughing; “the King does everything I wish him to do.”

Aramis looked fixedly at d’Artagnan, and saw that he was not speaking the truth. But Baisemeaux had eyes for nothing but d’Artagnan, so great was his admiration for a man who could make the King do all he wished.

“And does the King exile Athos?” inquired Aramis.

“No, not precisely. The King did not explain himself upon that subject,” replied d’Artagnan; “but I think the count could not do better, unless indeed he wishes particularly to thank the King-”

“No, indeed,” replied Athos, smiling.

“Well, then, I think,” resumed d’Artagnan, “that the count cannot do better than to retire to his own chateau. However, my dear Athos, you have only to speak, to tell me what you want. If any particular place of residence is more agreeable to you than another, I can obtain it for you.”

“No, thank you,” said Athos; “nothing can be more agreeable to me, my dear friend, than to return to the solitude beneath my noble trees on the banks of the Loire. If Heaven be the overruling physician of the evils of the mind, Nature is a sovereign remedy. And so, Monsieur,” continued Athos, turning again towards Baisemeaux, “I am now free, I suppose?”

“Yes, Monsieur the Count, I think so,- at least, I hope so,” said the governor, turning over and over the two papers in question; “unless, however, M. d’Artagnan has a third order to give me.”

“No, my dear M. Baisemeaux, no,” said the musketeer; “the second is quite enough. We can stop there.”

“Ah! Monsieur the Count,” said Baisemeaux, addressing Athos, “you do not know what you are losing. I should have placed you at thirty livres, like the generals- what am I saying?- I mean at fifty livres, like the princes; and you would have supped every evening as you have supped to-night.”

“Allow me, Monsieur,” said Athos, “to prefer my mediocrity”; and then, turning to d’Artagnan, he said, “Let us go, my friend.”

“Let us go,” said d’Artagnan.

“Shall I have the happiness of having you as my companion?”

“To the city gate only,” replied d’Artagnan; “after which I will tell you what I told the King: ‘I am on duty.'”

“And you, dear Aramis,” said Athos, smiling; “will you accompany me? La Fere is on the road to Vannes.”

“Thank you, my dear friend,” said Aramis; “but I have an appointment in Paris this evening, and I cannot leave without very serious interests suffering by my absence.”

“In that case,” said Athos, “I must say adieu, and take my leave of you. My dear M. de Baisemeaux, I have to thank you exceedingly for your good will, and particularly for the specimen you have given me of the Bastille fare”; and having embraced Aramis, and shaken hands with M. de Baisemeaux, and having received their wishes for an agreeable journey from them both, Athos set off with d’Artagnan.