CHAPTER IX: HONOURS
In half an hour Paolo returned leading two horses. By their trappingsand appearance both had evidently belonged to officers.
"Take off the trappings," Hector said, "then put a saddle on one forme; shift your own saddle on to the other, and picket your own with thespare horses of the staff, then we will ride over and get my saddle,bridle, holsters, and trappings. The horse has carried me well eversince I left Paris, and I am grieved indeed to lose it."
"So am I, master; it was a good beast, but I think that either of theseis as good, though it will be long before I get to like them as I didScotty. We shall want housings for this second horse, master."
"Yes; there will be no difficulty about that. There are scores of deadhorses on the field; choose one without any embroidery or insignia. Youmay as well take another pair of holsters with pistols."
Riding across to the spot where Enghien and his officers were forming upthe prisoners, talking courteously to the Spanish officers and seeingto the wounded, Hector, leaving Paolo to find his fallen horse and shifthis trappings to the one that he rode, cantered up to the spot whereEnghien's white plume could be seen in the midst of a group of officers,among whom was General Gassion. He saluted as he came up.
"I am glad indeed to see you, Captain Campbell," Enghien said warmly,holding out his hand; "I feared that you were killed. Some of my friendstold me that you were struck down in the third charge, and that they hadnot seen you since and feared that you were slain."
"My horse was killed, prince, and in falling pinned me to the ground,and being within thirty yards of the Spanish square, I lay withoutmovement until you came back again and broke them. Then some soldiers sofar lifted my horse that I could get my foot from under it, my servantfound and caught a riderless German horse, and here I am unharmed."
"Well, sir, at the time that you came up General Gassion was justtelling these gentlemen that had it not been for you things might havegone very differently. Had you not discovered that ambush their firewould have been fatal to us, for we fell back, as you know, farther thanthe copse, and a volley from a thousand muskets would have played havocamong us, and after so terrible a repulse might well have decided theday against us. For this great service, rendered by you voluntarily andwithout orders, I as commander-in-chief of this army, with the full andwarm approval of General Gassion, appoint you to the rank of colonel,a rank which I am sure will be confirmed by the queen's minister when Ireport to him my reasons for the promotion. General Gassion reportsthat the man who accompanied you on this reconnaissance was the same whofollowed you in the expedition to Turin. As he is not a soldier I cannotpromote him, but I will order my chamberlain to hand him a purse of ahundred pistoles. When you return to Turenne, tell him that I owe himmy best thanks for having sent you to me, and that, thanks to the aid ofhis teaching, you have been the means of preventing a great disaster toour forces."
"I thank you, indeed, monsieur, for your kindness, and for promotingme so far beyond my merits, but I hope in the future I shall be able tostill further prove my gratitude."
"That is proved already," Gassion said, "for although every man todayhas fought like a hero, you were the only one in camp that suspectedthat the Spanish might be lying in an ambush, and who not only thoughtit, but took means to find out whether it was so."
The next morning Enghien informed Hector that he was elected as oneof the three officers who were to have the honour of carrying hisdespatches to Paris, and that he was to start in half an hour. Paolo,who was in the highest state of delight at the purse that had beenpresented to him the evening before, was greatly pleased with theprospect.
"Heaven be praised, master, that you are not going into another battle!It was well nigh a miracle that you escaped last time, and such goodluck does not befall a man twice. I have never seen Paris, and greatlydo I long to do so. How they will shout when they hear the news webring!"
"It will not be altogether news to them, Paolo. La Moussaie, Enghien'sintimate friend, who acted as his aide-de-camp during the battle, wassent off ten minutes after the fight ended with a paper, on which theprince had pencilled that he had utterly defeated the enemy. He willchange horses at every post, and will be in Paris by this evening. Webear the official despatches, giving a full account of the battle, andof the total destruction of the Spanish infantry, with no doubt a listof the nobles and gentlemen who have fallen. Well, I should think now,Paolo, that when we have seen enough of Paris and we have journeyed downto Perpignan again, you will leave my service and buy a farm; you canafford a substantial one now."
"What, master! I leave your service, where gold comes in in showers, andwhere one serves a master whom one loves? No, sir, I am not such a foolas that. I do not say that when the war is over I may not settle down ina snug home among the mountains of Savoy, but not until then; besides, Iam but eighteen, and a nice hand I should make at managing a farm."
"Well, get the horses ready at once and the valises packed. You can putthem on my spare horse. The mule will scarce keep up with us, for weshall certainly travel fast, so you had best hand it over to someone whoyou think will treat it kindly."
Twenty minutes later Hector, and two officers who had distinguishedthemselves especially in the battle, sat mounted before the tent thathad now been raised for d'Enghien. The young prince himself came out."Gentlemen," he said, handing the three sealed packets, "you willpresent these to the queen, who is now Regent of France, for Louis XIIIdied a week ago. They contain the despatches and reports of myself andGeneral Gassion. Your packet, colonel," he added to Hector, "is GeneralGassion's report; it goes more fully into military details than mine.You, Monsieur de Penthiere, carry my despatches in reference to thebattle of yesterday. You, Monsieur de Caussac, are the bearer of myplans for our future operations. I think that you will all agree with methat, after the battle we have won, we shall be able to make ourselvesmasters of Flanders with but slight resistance."
The three officers bowed their agreement with the words.
"I know not who is in power or on whom the queen chiefly relies forcounsel, but should any questions be put to you, you will, I hope, beable to express the urgency of prompt action in this matter before theSpaniards have time to rally from the terrible blow that this defeat hasinflicted upon them. And now, gentlemen, a rapid and pleasant journey.Orders were sent on last night that four sets of fresh horses shouldbe in readiness along the road. They are my own horses, and good ones.Twelve troopers will accompany you; three of these will remain behind ateach stage where you change, and the horses that you have used will bebrought on at a more leisurely pace after you. They will readily findout in Paris where you are lodged, and I beg that you will retain thehorses as a slight proof of my goodwill."
Then he waved his hand and went into his tent again. The three lackeys,each holding a spare horse, were sitting in readiness for a start somefifty yards away. After a moment's conversation the officers rode up tothem.
"You must follow us quietly," one of them said. "For today you can keepup with us to the end of the first stage. Three fresh horses have beenprovided for us, for we ride without a stop to Paris. Three soldierswill there take charge of the horses we ride. When we go on you willfollow quietly with the horses that you are now leading. It will beimpossible for you to keep up with us."
Then they placed themselves at the head of their escort of dragoons, thelackeys fell in behind them, and they started at a fast pace.
"Do you know where the first relays are?" one of the officers asked thesergeant in charge of the escort, after they had ridden three or fourmiles.
"The first is at Rethel, monsieur, the second at Rheims, the third atChateau-Thierry, the fourth at Meaux."
"Then we will ride on at once. You have your orders?"
"Yes, sir."
Whereupon the three officers quickened their pace. The distance to betraversed was about a hundred and thirty miles, and as they had fivehorses, including those they rode, each stage would average abouttwe
nty-six miles.
"Now, gentlemen," de Penthiere said, "it seems to me that it would bea pity to founder fifteen good horses in order to gain an hour on thisjourney. The queen has already received news of the victory, or at leastshe will receive it some time today, therefore the details we bring arenot of particular importance. It is now eight o'clock. If we were togallop all the way we might do it in twelve hours. The roads in manyplaces will be bad, and we must stop for meals at least three times;with the utmost speed we could hardly be in Paris in less than fifteenhours. Her majesty will scarce want to read long despatches at thattime, and may take it that we ourselves will need a bath and a change ofgarments, and the services of a barber, before we could show ourselvesin court. Had we been bearers of the original despatch, we might havegone in splashed from head to foot. As it is, it seems to me that if wepresent ourselves with our papers at seven in the morning we shall havedone that which is necessary. What do you both say?"
"I agree with you, de Penthiere. It would be a sore pity to injure goodhorses by galloping them at the top of their speed, to say nothing ofknocking ourselves up. Had we been sent off from the field of battle Ishould have said, spare neither the horses nor ourselves. But indeed itseems to me that tomorrow morning will be quite early enough for usto present ourselves and our despatches. To tell you the truth, I havenever ridden a hundred and thirty miles or so at the pace of a courier.I should say let us go at a reasonable pace, and get into Paris soonafter midnight, which will give us time for some little sleep, andafterwards to make ourselves presentable. What say you, ColonelCampbell?"
"I have no opinion, messieurs. I know nothing of the manners of thecourt, and if you think that tomorrow morning will be quite soon enoughfor us to deliver the despatches I am quite willing to fall in with yourview. It is certainly a long ride, and as we marched hither we foundthat the roads were very bad, and certainly where the army has passedthey are so cut up by the artillery and wagons that they are sure tobe quite unfit for going at racing speed. Therefore I think that if wepresent ourselves at the palace early in the morning, we shall have doneall that can be expected of us."
It was indeed two o'clock in the morning when they arrived at the gatesof Paris. Accustomed though they all were to horse exercise, the journeyhad been a very fatiguing one. Until night fell they had ridden briskly,talking as they went on the probable state of affairs in France and ofthe military operations that were likely to be undertaken as the resultof the victory, but progress became slow after darkness set in. Theroads were in many places detestably bad. In passing through forests itwas not possible to travel much beyond a walk, as it was necessary notonly to avoid overhanging arms of trees, but to keep the track, for theroad in many places was nothing more.
Once or twice they lost it altogether, and it was only when they hitupon the house of a peasant or a little village, and obtained a guide,that they were able to recover their road. Consequently all werethoroughly exhausted when they reached Paris. The gates were opened tothem when it was understood that they bore despatches from the army.They made their way to the Hotel Conde. It was illuminated, for theprince had given a great banquet in honour of the victory won by hisson; and although most of the guests had left long before, a partyof the closest friends and connections of the prince were holding aninformal council, when the word came to them that three officers hadarrived with despatches from the Duc d'Enghien. The prince came down.Hector had dismounted without assistance, but the other two officers hadto be lifted from their saddles.
"Are you bearers of any special news, de Penthiere?" the prince asked;for the two young nobles were well known to him.
"No, monseigneur, save that our despatches give full details of thebattle."
"What is our loss?"
"It is very heavy," de Penthiere said. "Fully a hundred men of goodblood have fallen. The loss principally fell upon the cavalry commandedby the duke, who three times charged the Spanish infantry, and onlysucceeded at the fourth attempt in breaking their square."
"And the Spanish infantry?"
"Every man was either killed or taken."
"Glorious!" the prince said. "Well, I will not detain you now, for I seethat you can scarce stand, and it would be cruel to keep you up, much aswe desire to hear the particulars."
"I think, monseigneur, that this gentleman, Colonel Campbell, is more ina condition to talk to you than de Caussac or myself."
"I shall be happy to answer any questions," Hector said, bowing to theprince. "I have been campaigning for the last four years under Monsieurde Turenne, and am accustomed to long journeys and sleepless nights."
"Thank you, colonel. We will not keep you up long."
Some lackeys were ordered to assist the two young nobles to couches,and then Conde and his companions left the courtyard and entered a smallsaloon where they had supped two hours before. Some fresh bottles ofwine and cold viands were at once placed upon the table. Hector drankoff a goblet of wine.
"Now, Monsieur le Prince, I will tell you all I know about the fight."And he gave Conde and his companions a brief sketch of the variousmovements and changes of the battle.
"It was a hard fought field indeed," Conde said, "and the result isa glorious one for France. Now we will keep you no longer from yourcouch."
"May I ask, sir, at what time we ought to present ourselves with thedespatches at the palace?"
"It will not be necessary for you to present yourselves before teno'clock, for it was late last night before her majesty retired. Pariswas wild at the news of the victory, and the reception at the palace wascrowded. Still, I should say that at ten it would be well that you andyour companions should attend there, though you may have to wait for anhour or more for an audience."
At ten o'clock Hector and his companions presented themselves at thepalace. Seven hours' sleep, a warm bath, and the services of the barber,who curled the hair of the two young nobles and sprinkled them all withperfume, did much to restore them, though they were all somewhat stiff,and every bone seemed to ache. They were kept waiting for half an hour,at the end of which time the door of the antechamber was opened andtheir names were called. The queen, who was still a beautiful woman,was standing talking to a gentleman, in whose attire there were but fewsymbols that would betray to a stranger that he was an ecclesiastic ofhigh rank.
"You are the bearers of despatches from the army, messieurs?"
"We have that honour, your majesty," de Penthiere, who was the senior ofthe party, said. "We arrived from Paris at two o'clock this morning, butdid not venture to disturb your majesty at that hour."
"You did rightly," the queen said graciously. "We already knew thata great victory had been gained, and could afford to wait for theparticulars. Do you each bear a despatch?"
"We do, your majesty," de Penthiere said, producing that which he bore."This, your majesty, is the general report of the Duc d'Enghien ofthe events of the battle. Colonel Campbell is intrusted with the moredetailed description of General Gassion. Monsieur de Caussac's despatchcontains the duke's views as to the carrying on of the campaign; thesehe submits to the judgment of your majesty and the council."
Cardinal Mazarin stepped forward and took the three documents.
"These we will peruse and consider at our leisure," the queen said, "andI shall, I hope, see you at my levee this evening. In the meantime Ithank you for your service in having brought the despatches so speedilyhere, and am well aware that the fact that you have been chosen as themessengers of the commander-in-chief is in itself a proof that yourshare in the battle was in the highest degree honourable."
She graciously held out her hand, which de Penthiere and his companions,dropping upon one knee, raised to their lips, one after the other.
"You are aware of the contents of the despatches, cardinal," the queensaid when they were alone.
"Of their general scope, madam. The Prince of Conde did me the honour tocall upon me at eight this morning. He had gathered a general accountof the battle from the lips of that you
ng Scottish colonel, who was theonly one of the party who was capable of relating it, the others beingalmost speechless with fatigue, for the road from Rocroi hither is longand rough."
"You may well say the young Scottish colonel, cardinal. He is but ayouth, and it is strange indeed that he should already have attainedthat rank."
"He has served for four years under the Viscount Turenne," Mazarinsaid, "and must therefore have had good opportunities of distinguishinghimself. Still, it is seldom indeed that any save one of royal blood orof the very highest families obtains such a rank so quickly. Turenne,however, was himself a colonel after less than four years service."
"Yes, cardinal, but he had the advantage of belonging to the family ofan almost independent sovereign."
"Conde said that he had himself asked the young man how it was that hehad won it, and he replied that it was solely due to the kindness of theDuc d'Enghien, who had been pleased to consider a small service he hadrendered as worthy of recognition. It is like enough, your majesty, thatwe shall see his name mentioned in one of these documents. It is certainthat he would not have been chosen to carry the despatches--a duty whichis regarded as a reward of the most distinguished service--unless he haddone something of marked importance."
The two French officers on leaving the palace at once went off to paytheir respects in the first place to the heads of their families, andafterwards to visit the various circles and coteries with which theywere connected, and where they would be sure of a flattering welcome andattentive listeners. Hector, for his part, rode direct to the quartersof the colonel of the Scottish regiment. A soldier came out and took thebridle of his horse as he saluted, while a sergeant asked what name heshould announce.
"Then you do not remember me, Sergeant Macfarlane?"
The soldier looked at him earnestly. "Why," he exclaimed suddenly, "it'sHector Campbell!"
"Right enough, sergeant."
"You have changed mightily, sir; you were but a laddie when you wentaway nigh four years ago. The news came to the regiment that you hadbeen made a captain, and proud we all were. The colonel will be rightglad to see you," and he led the way into the house.
"Then the regiment has not been on service just lately?"
"We had two years on the Rhine; but we came back here last autumn.The Red Cardinal was not fond of us, but he knew that he could trustus--which is more than he could have done some of the regiments--sohe had us back again; and we were not sorry, for it was but dull workthere--sieges and nought else."
He was just going to open the door of the inner room when Hector said,"You can announce me, Macfarlane, as Colonel Campbell."
"Gude Lord," the sergeant ejaculated, "ye dinna say that ye are acolonel?" Then reassuming with a great effort his military stiffness, heopened the door and announced in a loud tone, "Colonel Hector Campbell."
There was an exclamation of astonishment from the colonel and two orthree officers who were sitting with him.
"Why, Campbell," the former said, coming forward and warmly shaking hishand, "you are changed indeed, and you have come back to us almost theliving image of your father when he first joined."
The officers all shook hands with him warmly, and the colonel went on,"Macfarlane announced you as colonel, Hector, but surely you cannot havegained that rank?"
"I only obtained it two days ago. You see it is a good thing to be aprince's aide-de-camp. Turenne, wishing to give me every opportunity ofseeing service, sent me to Enghien with a message asking him to employme on his staff."
"And you were at Rocroi?" the colonel exclaimed. "What is the real newsof the battle? It was given out officially last night that we had wona victory, and there are all sorts of rumours this morning in thetown--they say that three officers arrived last night with fulldetails."
"I was one of the three, colonel; and I have just now come from thepalace after handing my despatches to the queen."
"Then it was Enghien who made you colonel?"
"Yes."
"Well, then, you must have done something marked, or you could neverhave got the rank. Why, he has half the young nobles of France in histrain--he has not made them all colonels, I suppose?"
"No, I suppose not; but we started early the next morning, and thereforecannot say what promotions were made."
"Still they made yours, Campbell. When did they do that?"
"Just after the fight was over."
"Umph! and what for?"
"Well, I luckily discovered that the Spaniards had set an ambush."
"Come, come, let us hear all about it. Tell us the whole story of thefight."
Hector gave all the details.
"Well, it certainly seems to have been an extraordinary battle. Everyoneappears to have been beaten in turn."
"Not Enghien's command, sir."
"Well, no; but when cavalry are repulsed three times with a loss, asyou say, of nearly half their numbers, it is pretty well equivalent to abeating; and if Enghien had not been able to bring up the artillery andreserves, I take it that the third charge would have been the last.The ambush that you discovered was, I suppose, that of the thousandmusketeers Enghien charged at the beginning of the fight."
Hector nodded his assent.
"Well, it is as well they were found out and surprised before the otherpart of the business began, or there is no saying how the battle wouldhave ended. We heard you had got your company. Turenne himself was goodenough, when he came here to confer with Richelieu that summer, tocall at the barracks and to give me an account of the service you hadrendered. We all agreed that the rank was well earned, and I have nodoubt that this new step has been just as honourably gained. And how doyou think matters are going?"
"I know nothing about it, sir, beyond the fact that it was not a secretthat Enghien and Gassion were both in favour of advancing at once intoFlanders, and capturing the Spanish strong places before they couldgather another army together."
"No doubt that would be the best way, but I should doubt very much ifEnghien will be allowed to carry out his plans. You see, the king'swill, appointing a council to act in concert with Conde, Orleans, andthe queen, has been set at nought. The queen is absolute regent, andMazarin is her minister--just as Richelieu was minister of Louis. Ofcourse this victory will put everyone in the best of temper, and makethe way easy for Mazarin just at first, but a defeat would set all thecliques at work against him.
"It is quite true that the defeat would not be his fault, but for somemysterious reason or other the French always hold the ministers, forthe time being, responsible for military disasters. So long as Mazarinchecks Enghien, and prevents his running any risks of disaster, thingsare likely to go on smoothly here, and you may be sure that he willgive the prince no chance of either suffering a defeat or achieving avictory. You see, the prince and his father together might be a greatdeal too powerful for the cardinal. Everyone knows that Conde himselfhas never cared much for anything but his own interests. Enghien hasthe character of being the most impetuous and violent young noble of theday, and the fact that he forced this fight when, as is generally known,l'Hopital had the strictest orders not to risk a battle, makes it clearthat Enghien has but little regard for authority.
"You will see that Mazarin will not give him further opportunities ofbecoming the idol of France until he has assured himself that he cancount upon his friendship. Mazarin is not Richelieu. The red cardinalwon his way to the leadership of France by proving himself able todefeat all intrigues against him, and crush every enemy, even those ofthe most exalted position. Mazarin has no such antecedents. He is noteven a Frenchman; he does not even look like a noble. That he is cleverwe may be sure, or Richelieu would not have recommended him as hissuccessor. But I fancy that it is the cleverness of an adventurer, andhowever adroit, an adventurer, and especially a foreign adventurer, willnot hold power in France very long without exciting the hatred of thecommunity and the hostility of the nobles. However, I suppose you areremaining here for a time."
"That I do no
t know. I would rather return at once to the camp. But Isuppose I must wait for some intimation that I may do so. You see, I amaltogether out of my element in Paris, and I should feel particularlyuncomfortable at the court."
"Who would you rather go to, Enghien or Turenne?"
"Just at present there is more doing with Enghien than Turenne, and moreto learn, otherwise I would far rather be with Turenne. Enghien's campis too full of young nobles; and I should say that he would take butlittle trouble in keeping order and repressing license. Turenne is by nomeans unduly strict, but he enforces order, and sets us such an exampleof earnestness and attention to work, himself, that he has a right toexpect the same, to some degree, of everyone under him."
"Where are you staying?"
"At the Hotel Conde. The prince was good enough this morning to ask meto establish myself there while I remained in Paris, and I could notvery well decline his invitation."
"I should think not," one of the other officers laughed. "In these daysa powerful friend is of the greatest use. Without that one has notmuch chance of advancement. Not that I want advancement; I would ratherremain as I am, a captain in the Scottish regiment, surrounded by goodand loyal friends and comrades, than be made a general. Still, one likesto have a grumble sometimes at any rate."
"Well, Home," the colonel said, "Hector Campbell is a proof that even inFrance merit will make its way. That Turenne should have taken a fancyto him in the first place was fortunate. But Turenne would surely nothave promoted him to be a captain within three or four months of hisjoining except for the marked bravery and diligence that he told ushe displayed at Turin; and I have no doubt that when we hear theparticulars we shall find that this promotion now has been equally welldeserved, for certainly Enghien is not likely to have gone out of hisway to promote one altogether a stranger to him when he had so manyyoung nobles round him, personal friends of his own, belonging tofamilies whom he would wish to oblige. Of course you will, as one of thebearers of despatches, attend at the court this evening, Campbell?"
"Yes, the queen said that she would expect to see us."
"Of course; and you will be envied by every young courtier there. At thepresent moment Paris is half wild over the victory of Rocroi, and as youthree will be the representatives of the army, specially selectedfor the share you had in the battle, you may be sure that you will beregarded with eyes of favour by every lady of the court."
"Well, I should think it would be a great nuisance," Hector saidgruffly. "Hitherto I have had nothing to do with ladies. There were veryfew with the Duchess of Savoy, and whenever there were receptions orstate ceremonies of any kind, I was always ready to exchange with deLisle or Chavigny, my fellow aides-de-camp. So that during the wholetime I was there, I never but once or twice accompanied the general onsuch occasions."
"Ah, you were younger then," Home laughed. "You have passed eighteennow, and, as you must know yourself, are by no means bad looking, witha certain air of freshness and simplicity that is so rare here inParis that it will be regarded as refreshing and delightful after theflippancies of the court gallants."
Hector laughed uncomfortably. "I could not take up flippancies, I amafraid. But what you say is true, Home; and if I had to remain atcourt, I suppose I should have to set to work at once to cultivate someaffectation or other to counteract this simplicity of which you speak.However, thank goodness, I do not suppose that I shall stay here long.At any rate, it is lucky that I purchased a new court suit before Istarted to join the Duke of Enghien. Coming from Viscount Turenne Ithought that I was bound to make a good figure among the crowd of youngnobles round Enghien, but it made a large hole in my savings."
"Do you mean to say that you had savings?" one of the other officersexclaimed. "Who ever heard of such a thing? I never have a pistole leftin my pocket a week after I get my month's pay."
"It is a very different thing living in Susa to living in Paris," Hectorlaughed. "I can assure you that I never spent more than half my pay;but living was dearer down in Roussillon. Things have been in such adisturbed state there for years that the country was well nigh a desert;and though my two comrades and I messed together, the living cost twiceas much as it did at Susa. Shall I see any of you this evening at thepalace?"
"I shall be there," the colonel said, "and so will Home and Lesley.It is always expected that three officers from each of the regimentsstationed in Paris, and five from the one that happens to be on guardfor the evening, should attend the royal receptions. It will be aspecially brilliant affair tonight, for the queen has held but fewreceptions of late. It was only announced yesterday afternoon, after thenews of the battle arrived. Had it not been for that, the salons wouldnot have been opened for another month."
"I am very glad that there will be somebody there I shall know."
"Don't flatter yourself that you are going to consort with us," thecolonel laughed. "You will have to be presented to at least a score ofcourt dames. However, fortunately, they will not expect the usual amountof compliments. They will be really wanting to hear of the battle, andmost of them will be interested in some special friend with the army,and will want to inquire about him."
"It will not be so bad, then," Hector said. "If I only have to talk ofmilitary matters I shall not mind, but it will be painful indeed if Ihave to give news of the death of anyone dear to the lady I am speakingto."
"I don't think that you need fear very much about that. Enghien ispretty sure to have sent a list containing the names of any courtgallants that have fallen, and their relatives will at once have beennotified of it, and will not be present at the court. As to the others,who have merely lost lovers, they will not break their hearts over it.It is the fashion to change them so rapidly that probably not a fewof the ladies will have consoled themselves for their absence already.However, to begin with, I daresay I shall be able to act as your mentorand guide, and point out to you who is who, so that you can avoidfalling into serious errors. You see, there are half a dozen partiesat court already. There are Mazarin's friends, who, by the way, arenot numerous; there are the Duke of Beaufort's clique; there is Conde'sparty.
"Madame Chevreuse's party consists largely of herself. She is a power,but at present no one can say with whom she will ally herself. Hithertoshe has been simply anti-Richelieu, and was his most troublesome andbitter enemy; and I should say that not improbably she will at oncebegin to conspire against Mazarin as she did against him. She has beenthe queen's greatest ally; but then the queen was always a bitter enemyof Richelieu, whereas at present it is supposed that she is stronglyin favour of Mazarin. In a few months the situation will clear itself,parties will become defined. No doubt Enghien's victory will add to thepower and importance of Conde, who is already dangerously strong; thenmatters will become interesting. At present the situation is somewhatchaotic, and politics will not be openly and generally discussed, simplybecause no one knows what anyone else's opinion may be."
"Well, then, till the evening I will say goodbye, colonel. I am goingto have a chat with Sergeant MacIntosh, and shall then return to Conde'shotel. I suppose I shall be expected to take my midday meal there."
"It would be as well to do so certainly, even though it is like enoughthat he himself will not be there. He is the prince of schemers, anddoubtless at present his thoughts are concentrated on the manner inwhich he and Enghien can best gain advantages from the victory."