rt,
and things will be serious for the Marshal."

"And for the Cardinal," laughed Pillot, who never saw any good in
Mazarin; "he must run, monsieur, and fast, too."

"So must we--he will need help. Come, let us find him."

This, however, was not a simple matter, and we were nearly an hour in
forcing a way to Mazarin's rooms. They were empty, and the frightened
servants had no idea where their master was. Some asserted he had gone
to reassure the Queen; others that he had galloped off to the
battlefield, at which Pillot laughed unkindly.

Turning back I encountered Humphreys, who, with a dozen troopers, was
clearing a passage through the crowd. In answer to my question he said
that Mazarin had ridden toward the river, where he himself was going;
so, bidding Pillot stay behind, I joined company with the Englishman.

"Well," said I, as we rode along, "Gien is not such a humdrum place
after all!"

"Faith! this Conde has played a clever game. A courier has brought
word that Hocquincourt's army has vanished, while Turenne has only
about four thousand men with which to oppose fourteen thousand. And
look at this rabble! Out of the way there, or we will ride you down!"

"Have you had orders to join Turenne?"

"No," he answered, with a touch of scorn. "My duty is to escort the
carriages, which are all on the other side of the river. The Queen has
sent for them, so that her ladies can escape if Turenne gets
beaten--which he will. Ah! there is Mazarin with the King. Look how
the boy manages his horse! He should make a fine cavalry leader in
time."

Leaving Humphreys, I turned aside to the edge of the plain, where the
boy king and Mazarin were surrounded by a group of gentlemen. Louis
was flushed and excited, but he showed no fear, and, indeed, I heard
that he begged hard for permission to gallop to the scene of conflict.
At frequent intervals Mazarin despatched a gentleman on some errand.
His face was pale, and he looked anxious, which was not to be wondered
at, since the safety of the Court depended on so slender a thread.

Presently, catching sight of me, he said, "De Lalande, come here. I
see you have a good horse. Do not spare it, but ride top speed to
Marshal Turenne, and inquire if he has any message for His Majesty."

"Yes, my Lord!" I answered, and saluting, rode off quickly.

The confusion was worse here than in the town. Crowds of ladies,
attended by their servants, waited anxiously for the c