he war.' You know the cardinal by sight,
I suppose?"

"Yes, general, I have seen him many times."

"He is a great man," Turenne said thoughtfully, rather as if speaking to
himself than to Hector; "the greatest that France has ever known--he is
the soul of France. It is well, indeed, that we have at present a king
who recognizes how great a man he is, and is wise enough to know that
although he himself is somewhat overshadowed, France is made greater and
stronger and his own reign more glorious by his genius." Then he broke
off with a smile. "I was talking to myself rather than to you. I shall
ride to St. Denis at two o'clock today; be here at that time. I will
order the horse, that I have purchased for you, to be brought round
here."

Hector was about to express his gratitude, but the general at once
stopped him. "I need no thanks," he said. "I perceived in the ardour
with which you have studied military matters that you would make a good
officer, and you remind me of my own boyhood. I always like to help
forward officers who I see ready, not only to do their actual business
but to go beyond it, in order to acquire knowledge, and I doubt not that
I shall find this in you. But you must remember, lad, that you are now
no longer a civilian, but a soldier, that you must be not only obedient
but respectful to those above you in rank, that discretion as well as
courage is necessary for success, that you must be thoughtful for
the comfort of the soldiers, ready to expose your life in battle
to encourage them, and also to set them an example of endurance,
cheerfulness, and good spirits in times of hardship and distress.
Remember that, to the soldier, there is no such thing as party; he
fights for France and for France only, and should hold himself aloof
from even the smallest expression of opinion on political matters. Then,
at two o'clock."

Hector bowed deeply and left the room. When he returned to the hotel
at two o'clock, six grooms were standing with the horses before the
entrance; he waited outside until the viscount, followed by four
officers, came out.

"Oh, here you are, lieutenant!" he said, as his eye fell on Hector; "I
was afraid that punctuality was not among your virtues. Gentlemen, this
is Lieutenant Hector Campbell, son of a brave officer of the Scottish
regiment who fell at La Rochelle; he is, for the present, attached to
my household, and will ride with us for Italy the day after tomorrow.
Campbell, thi