"Oh, monseigneur! you drive me to despair," said he, striking the armchair with his fist.
"And, on my part, I do not comprehend you, monsieur." "Well, then, try to understand me." The prisoner looked fixedly at Aramis.
"Sometimes it seems to me," said the latter, "that I have before me the man whom I seek, and then--" "And then your man disappears,--is it not so ?" said the prisoner, smiling.

"So much the better." Aramis rose.

"Certainly," said he; "I have nothing further to say to a man who mistrusts me as you do." "And I, monsieur," said the prisoner, in the same tone, "have nothing to say to a man who will not understand that a prisoner ought to be mistrustful of everybody." "Even of his old friends," said Aramis.

"Oh, monseigneur, you are _too_ prudent!" "Of my old friends ?--you one of my old friends,--you ?" "Do you no longer remember," said Aramis, "that you once saw, in the village where your early years were spent--" "Do you know the name of the village ?" asked the prisoner.
"Noisy-le-Sec, monseigneur," answered Aramis, firmly.
"Go on," said the young man, with an immovable aspect.
"Stay, monseigneur," said Aramis; "if you are positively resolved to carry on this game, let us break off.

I am here to tell you many things, 'tis true; but you must allow me to see that, on your side, you have a desire to know them.