M.D.G.," wrote the bishop; and he drew a cross under these four letters, which signify _ad majorem Dei gloriam_, "to the greater glory of God;" and thus he continued: "It is our pleasure that the order brought to M.de Baisemeaux de Montlezun, governor, for the king, of the castle of the Bastile, be held by him good and effectual, and be immediately carried into operation." (Signed) D'HERBLAY "General of the Order, by the grace of God." Baisemeaux was so profoundly astonished, that his features remained contracted, his lips parted, and his eyes fixed.

He did not move an inch, nor articulate a sound.

Nothing could be heard in that large chamber but the wing-whisper of a little moth, which was fluttering to its death about the candles.

Aramis, without even deigning to look at the man whom he had reduced to so miserable a condition, drew from his pocket a small case of black wax; he sealed the letter, and stamped it with a seal suspended at his breast, beneath his doublet, and when the operation was concluded, presented--still in silence--the missive to M.
de Baisemeaux.

The latter, whose hands trembled in a manner to excite pity, turned a dull and meaningless gaze upon the letter.