, and two or three of us nearest the door managed to
extricate the Abbe from his awkward situation.

"Thank you, gentlemen," he exclaimed; "I am glad there are some men of
honour in the prince's train," and he passed to his seat as if nothing
unusual had happened.

"There will be no more trouble to-day," said a man close to me; and he
was right, but Paris had only just missed another revolution.

CHAPTER XX.

News at Last.

The incident at the Palais de Justice somewhat sobered the Parisians,
and for several days the city presented quite an unusual appearance of
peace. Once more the mob retired to its own quarters, and the nobles
of the different parties renewed their private friendships.

By this time I had abandoned my search for Henri, and spent most of my
time with Raoul and Armand d'Arcy, or with John Humphreys.

One evening while chatting with the Englishman at the Palais Royal, Le
Tellier, the Under Minister, passed by.

"Are you not M. de Lalande?" he asked, turning and looking hard into my
face.

Now, coming from him, this was a very stupid question, as, when Mazarin
ruled in Paris, Le Tellier had often seen me with the Cardinal.
However, I shrugged my shoulders, and answered carelessly that he made
no mistake.

"I believe you are in the Queen's service?" he continued.

"It is an office without salary, then," I answered, thinking of my
nearly empty purse, which was not likely to wear out through the
rubbing of coins against it.

"Tut, tut!" he exclaimed, "money is not plentiful at Court just now;
nevertheless you will be amply rewarded. Come with me, I have a word
for you," and he led me aside.

Wondering at his manner, but glad of a chance to do something, I waited
for him to speak.

"You are aware," he began, "that, in two days from this, the King is to
be declared of age, and that he will proceed in state to the Parliament
House?"

"Certainly, monsieur, that is common talk; the citizens are very
pleased."

"Those who are peacefully disposed!" he exclaimed; then, sinking his
voice to a whisper, he added, "but there are some still eager for
mischief. It would be a pity if a tumult should arise during the
King's progress. The soldiers, fortunately, can be depended on, but in
addition, we require a band of gallant gentlemen to line the route.
Can I rely on you for one?"

"Assuredly," I replied, "I shall be glad to assist."

"Then come to me at midnight to-morrow, and I will inf