k at the door,
and an officer high in the royal household entered.

"M. Beauchamp," said he, glancing round with a smile, "I congratulate
you on your good fortune. His most gracious Majesty is below, with
Marshal Turenne, who has sung your praises so loudly that, before
leaving Gien, His Majesty insisted on coming to visit you."

Never in all my life had I felt such a thrill of joy as at these words.
The King was coming to visit Raoul! My heart beat fast at the sound of
footsteps on the stairs, and I bubbled over with happy excitement as
the famous soldier and the royal boy made their appearance.

"M. Beauchamp," exclaimed the Marshal, "His Majesty has heard of your
brave deeds, and has done you the honour of paying you a visit before
he leaves Gien."

Raoul bowed respectfully, speaking just the words required, and acting,
in short, as a French gentleman should, who is honoured by his
monarch's approval.

[Transcriber's note: illustration missing from book]

I watched the young King closely. He was a handsome lad, and, though
not forgetting his regal dignity, he spoke from his heart with all a
high-spirited boy's emotion.

"Monsieur," said he, "to the soldier honoured by the greatest general
in Europe, a king's gift can have little value. Yet keep this in
remembrance of this day, and if ever the need should arise for your
monarch's favour, it shall prove a sure passport."

[Illustration: "Keep this in remembrance of this day."]

As he spoke he took a star set with brilliants from his own breast, and
fastened it on Raoul's.

Bowing low, my comrade spoke his thanks like a gallant knight, and then
the royal boy, flushing with pleasure at his own kindly act, and
bidding Raoul recover his strength soon, took his departure,
accompanied by the Marshal.

"Well done, Raoul!" I cried, "now your fortune is assured. That star
will carry you to the very highest position in the days to come. I
wish Humphreys had been here to share our pleasure."

"What is it?" cried a cheery voice from the door. "Do you know the
King is in the street?"

"Yes," said I, pointing to the star on Raoul's breast, "he has been
here, and that is what he has left behind."

"Hurrah!" cried the Englishman. "Bravo, Raoul! You deserve your luck
if any one does."

"I owe the honour to Marshal Turenne's considerate kindness."

"And to something else! The Marshal doesn't escort young Louis round
giving brilliants to every one who was i