hands
at the news, and purred softly, as he usually did when well pleased.

"We are getting on, gentlemen!" said he. "Before long His Majesty will
be in his capital again."

In this the Cardinal was mistaken, but every day still further improved
our position. The Court removed to St. Denis; Conde, who had posted
his troops on the bank of the Seine, near St. Cloud, was being pressed
day and night by Turenne, and was at length forced to retreat in the
direction of Charenton.

As soon as this became known in St. Denis the utmost excitement
prevailed, and every one began asking what the people of Paris would
do. Unless the gates of the city were opened the prince must either
win a brilliant victory or be crushed. On this point Mazarin spoke
very sensibly.

"Everything depends on the result of the first stroke," said he. "The
Duke of Orleans is in command of the town. He will blow hot and cold
after his manner: Conde will ask for shelter, and Gaston will hesitate.
There lies our chance. If we can catch and beat the prince meanwhile,
all will go well; Gaston ever leans to the strongest side."

Turenne, who had come to consult with the Cardinal, smiled grimly.

"Take His Majesty to Charonne," he advised, "and bid him write a letter
with his own hand to the Council, forbidding the gates to be opened.
It may do good: it cannot do harm."

"And meanwhile?" asked Mazarin.

"My cavaliers are hot on the prince's track. I have ordered La Ferte
to cross the river with his artillery, and Conde must either surrender
or accept battle at St. Antoine."

"Remember the Porte St. Antoine!" The words sounded in my ears so
clearly that it almost seemed as if I heard Raoul speaking.

"The Court will be in no danger," Turenne continued, "but I shall
require every man who can use a sword or fire a musket. Have you ever
seen a wild boar at bay? That is how Conde fights. I shall beat him,
but the pack will be badly mauled. Gentlemen, who will ride with
Turenne, and die with Turenne, if needs be, for the honour of France?"

There were a dozen of us, all belonging to Mazarin's body-guard, at the
lower end of the room, and instantly every sword leaped from its
scabbard and flashed in the air.

"I! I! I!" we shouted like a number of enthusiastic boys, and the
famous general laughed genially.

No one, I fear, waited for the Cardinal's consent, and when, a few
minutes later, Turenne mounted his horse, fifty headstrong cavali