lent on the journey; I was greatly troubled about Raoul, and
the dwarf did not care to disturb my thoughts. We met some of the
wounded being taken to Gien and Briare; others were at Blenau, and
amongst these we found Raoul.

"M. Beauchamp?" said the surgeon to whom I spoke. "Yes, he is here,
waiting to have his wounds dressed; he is a lucky fellow; there is
nothing serious; he will return to Gien to-morrow. In less than a
month he will be in the saddle again. You can see him if you wish."

Raoul's eyes flashed with pleasure at my approach. He was very pale
from loss of blood, but was able to talk, and spoke hopefully of
returning to duty in a few days. He did not tell me, however, what I
afterwards learned from others, that the Marshal had paid him a visit
and had spoken in the highest terms of his bravery.

As soon as his wounds were dressed and he was made comfortable I
returned to Gien, in order to be at hand in case the Cardinal needed my
services.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The King Visits Raoul.

I shall not soon forget the day the Court left Gien. Mazarin had kept
me fully employed until a late hour on the previous evening, and
directly after breakfast I went to spend a last five minutes with
Raoul. Turenne had given orders that he should be well lodged, and the
King's own surgeons had attended to dress his wounds. The news of his
gallant exploit had quickly spread abroad, and numerous luxuries had
been forwarded to the sick room from the royal table.

Happily his hurts were not serious, a gash across his sword-arm being
the worst, but he could dress himself with the assistance of Pillot,
whom I had sent to wait on him, though he had to let the right sleeve
of his tunic hang empty. Pillot had finished dressing him when I
entered, and Raoul exclaimed with a laugh, "I shall be sorry when you
go, Albert; I shall lose an admirable valet."

"We move at once," I answered, "but Pillot will remain here till you
can manage without his assistance. Is it not so, Pillot?"

"Certainly, monsieur, if M. Beauchamp permits."

"Why," exclaimed Raoul, smiling, "as to that I should be very pleased,
but how will M. de Lalande manage?"

"Look after himself," said I. "The change will do me good; I have been
growing lazy of late. Listen! What a hubbub in the street! Some one
is coming up the stairs. Run to the door, Pillot, and see who our
visitor is."

The dwarf had just crossed the room when there was a knoc