doublet. You will, of course, have a pointed lace collar for your cloak,
and at the bottom of your breeches and at your wrists to match. I think,
sir, that a large collar and gold embroidery would go best with the
costume."

Hector nodded. "I leave it entirely to you, Master Poitrou, so
that everything is ready in time for me to wear them. I also want
a travelling suit of good fashion--I leave the matter of colour to
you--and also a suit for wearing here in Paris."

The cloak and doublets were speedily chosen, as M. Poitrou had several
of the colour and material in stock. Hector was then measured for the
breeches, which were of the fashion now known as knickerbockers, but
somewhat looser. He then chose a violet cap with a yellow feather to
match the court dress, a court sword, high riding boots, and loose
turned-over boots used for walking, but left all other matters to the
tailor.

"When your man brings the things to me at the auberge Pome d'Or I will
pay him at once," he said. He was indeed well supplied with funds, for
as he passed through Nancy he had drawn the sums standing to his credit
from an agent there, to whom he had, as occasion offered, transmitted
the greater portion of his pay, and also the balance of the sum that had
been paid him when he first took possession of his estate, after paying
for the various expenses he had incurred in St. Denis and in Paris.
Monsieur Poitrou was faithful to his promise, and although free from
vanity, Hector could not but perceive, after he had donned his court
suit, that he made a good figure. Such, indeed, was the opinion of not a
few of the ladies of the court as he entered the great reception room.

He had now adopted the general fashion, and wore his hair in ringlets
hanging down on to the collar. His fair complexion contrasted strongly
with the much darker one of the majority of the courtiers, and this,
as well as his height and erect soldierly bearing, rendered him a
conspicuous object among them. The queen and cardinal both honoured him
with marked attention; but what pleased him most during the evening was
the hearty greeting that he received from Colonel Maclvor, of whom he
had seen but little during the campaign, as the Scottish regiment
formed part of Enghien's command, and was not present at the battle of
Nordlingen, being left in garrison at Metz when the duke marched to
join Turenne. Mazarin himself presented him to many of the ladies of the
court, thereby