known

ays of idleness, I began my new duties, meeting with a genial reception fr

and from several quarters we learned that civil war in all but the name had broken out afresh. It was said, too, that the

only a boy! He should be doing his lesson

ill find Marshal Tavann

nd, if there be any glory 'twill go to Anjou, while Tavannes can take the d

retainers were arriving at Rochelle, and our leader

x one morning. "The Queen of Navarre will be here to-morrow, bringing four

s," I said. "The English quee

the same object, and against the same enemy. For, mark you, Edmond, our real foes are Spain and the Po

men were centred. He was quite a boy, only fifteen years old, but he had a strong and capable face, full of fire and energy. His hair had a reddish tinge, his skin was brown but clear, and he had well-shaped

"He has the makings of a soldier, and in a y

as astonishing how easy these things appeared to be, as we sat and gossiped idly in the Admiral's ante-chamber! Fortunately, however, our leaders, being

, under the leadership of one named Henry Champernoun. They were mostly young, of good b

th sparkling blue eyes and shapely features. He was tall and well made, a skilful horseman, and an astonishing master of fe

with even more favour. She spent much time in his company, listening to his accounts of the English Court and of his own home, which was situated in a di

ter six, when I left the hotel. The streets as usual were thronged with citizens and soldiers, who in some places almost blocked the road. In fro

ng at the animal, and then-"Surel

nd the richly-dressed cavalier with whom we had travelled some distance. I quickened my steps, and scanned the rider closely. I could no

, and you would be torn in pieces; but you must be a brave rascal to venture alone

g out our strength and weakness. Perhaps it would be best to call a patrol, and have him arrested on the spot. I was still considering this

him a little further. Several persons were in the room, but he had taken

e said, "but serve me quickly; I

" said the landlord, wit

ls safer inside Rochelle than be

monsieur?" asked a man a

y. "Rochelle will soon be able to h

trooper, "it makes one wonder our le

o Condé," said the stranger with a laugh, and he turned

part in the conversation, but apparently as

room, monsieur?" sai

one, though I

horse, m

ain in th

im. He looked up at me in a casual way, and the next instant understood he was discovered. But the man had nerve

me, monsieur,"

ours, but do not claim the stake

hed, monsieur, and you have l

e, and these bloodhounds will bury their fangs in my heart. I k

the circumstance, that

not possess the key. For instance, you b

act

will laugh at my story, but I must tell

and a da

without influence; I had good blood in my veins but no money in my purse. My only chance of wealth lay in my sword. I

e pay of t

ourteous inclination of the head, "i

u attack me

the letter of whose conte

nced my father

gain I am wandering from the point, which is to explain my presence in Rochelle. Monsieur, has it ever occurr

thout some vi

all my love and affection. For her I would willingly die, or suffer the worst tortures a fiend could invent. Monsieu

" I said qu

ur, I possess all the virtues. It is strange,

r life to comfort h

g one now. Not for myself, but for her. You are young, and have a mother of your own! I shall not plead to yo

d slowly, "t

he house, while I close my mother's eyes, and afterwards I am at your service. The

not lose much

sture. Whatever his vices, he loved his mother with his whole heart. And he was entirely in my power! Even if he got away from me

nd afterwards you will return with me to the H?tel Coligny. If you abuse my confidence, I will leav

but murmured brokenly: "May the bl

ets, until we reached a house not far from the harbour. The door was o

id softly, "a

"only for that. Madame has al

empty room, where my compa

nt of your gener

face lit up with a gratified smile as he left t

was busy with my thoughts. The house was very still; not a sound broke the silence, not t

owed him without a word into another apartment. In the bed in the alcove a woman lay dying. She must have been beautiful

e to me. A dying woman blesses you, monsieur, and surely the saints will reward you. A goodly youth! A goodly yo

ciful that she should die ignorant of the wretched truth! "Even to the giving of your life for his!" And his life was in my hands already! Oh,

he would show no mercy. And, terrible as it might seem, there were those in the city who would scout the idea that Renaud L'Est

d to myself angrily; "he ha

d in my ears, and beat into my brain continually; I could not rid myself of them. "A dying woman!" Ay, perhaps a d