n the battle! I suppose you
have heard we are moving again? Conde has left his army and gone to
Paris. I really believe the war will not last much longer."

"I hope not," said I heartily; "if it does, the country will be ruined
completely."

"Conde and his friends are to blame for that. But I must be off now; I
am baggage-minder-in-chief to the Court."

"It must be a terrible responsibility having to look after the ladies'
dresses," laughed Raoul.

"Don't be in too great a hurry to take the field," advised Humphreys,
as we wished him good-bye. "That is a nasty gash on the sword-arm, and
will require some time to heal. Does Pillot stay behind? Ah! I
congratulate you, Beauchamp; he is a capital nurse. See that M.
Beauchamp is quite well before he leaves, Pillot."

"Monsieur will find that I shall do my best," exclaimed the little man,
and then with a last farewell to Raoul, Humphreys and I took our
departure.

Nothing of any consequence occurred during the next fortnight. The
Court removed to St. Germain, and the army to Palisseau, but, beyond a
skirmish or two, there was no fighting. As usual, however, there were
plenty of rumours, and every man had a different story to relate of
what was going on. As to Mazarin, he spent his days, and nights too,
in writing and reading innumerable notes, and in interviewing
mysterious people.

One evening, having for a wonder no duties to perform, I strolled over
to the palace for a chat with Humphreys.

"Have you heard the latest news?" he asked, and, as I shook my head,
added laughingly, "it is not a rumour but a fact. Turenne has doubled
back on Etampes, and has shut up the bulk of the rebels there. It will
be a grand stroke if he captures the town."

"Is Conde there?"

"I think not. Most accounts state that he is still in Paris. A lucky
thing you took the ladies away; the city, according to some of the
Queen's friends who have just crept out, is in a frightful state. The
people are up in arms, and the mob is burning and plundering on all
sides."

"What is the Duke of Orleans doing?"

"Making up his mind and altering it again; he has no leisure for
anything else. Mazarin seems to have been busy lately."

"Spoiling paper! there will be soon none left in the kingdom. While
Turenne is fighting, the Cardinal is driving bargains."

"Ah!" exclaimed my comrade scornfully, "the truth is, it is every man
for himself and the country can go to the dogs."