Bazin made no reply; his smile was sufficiently eloquent.

"My supper," said D'Artagnan, "it is getting towards seven
o'clock."

Bazin turned round and ordered the eldest of the pupils to
inform the cook. In the meantime, D'Artagnan surveyed the
presbytery.

"Phew!" said he, disdainfully, "monseigneur lodged his
grandeur very meanly here."

"We have the Chateau de Vaux," said Bazin.

"Which is perhaps equal to the Louvre?" said D'Artagnan,
jeeringly.

"Which is better," replied Bazin, with the greatest coolness
imaginable.

"Ah, ah!" said D'Artagnan.

He would perhaps have prolonged the discussion, and
maintained the superiority of the Louvre, but the lieutenant
perceived that his horse remained fastened to the bars of a
gate.

"The devil!" said he. "Get my horse looked after; your
master the bishop has none like him in his stables."