ervice that he had rendered to
her and the cardinal, but all felt that it must be something altogether
exceptional. Many of the nobles who belonged neither to the party of
Beaufort nor the cardinal came up and congratulated him.

He received these signs of the impression that the queens' words had
conferred upon him quietly.

"I am very sorry for what has occurred," he said. "I have killed many
in battle, but this is the first time that I have killed anyone in a
private quarrel. It was not one of my seeking, but I am none the less
sorry."

As he passed near Madame de Chevreuse, she made a gesture to him to come
to her. "You did not accept my warning," she said sadly. "Remember, a
storm is not past because the first flash of lightning does not strike."

"I am well aware of that, madam; I thank you for your warning, but I am
bound here by my duties as a tree is bound to the earth by its roots,
and neither can move at will to escape a storm passing overhead."

"Should I hear of any fresh danger, Monsieur Campbell," she said in a
low voice, "I will have you informed of it, but it is more probable that
I shall not know. Were it a state secret I should surely hear of it, but
in a matter like this none save those concerned would be likely to know
of it until it was over. Be always on your guard night and day, you
cannot tell when the bolt may fall;" and she motioned to him to pass on
again. As before, Hector accompanied the cardinal as far as his hotel,
then he went towards his own lodgings, Paolo, with his hand on his
dagger, keeping a pace behind him, while the four troopers followed one
by one at a distance. The streets were almost deserted until, just as
they approached the inn, a number of rough men rushed out from side
alleys and doorways. Hector had just time to throw himself with his back
to a house and draw his sword. Paolo's knife had levelled the first man
who approached, and then drawing his sword he took his place by the side
of his master. The ruffians stood round, each anxious to be the first
to strike, and yet fearful of meeting the sword that had, as they had
heard, mastered three gentlemen.

"Run in at him, fools!" a man in a cloak, with his hat pulled down over
his eyes, and keeping in the rear of the others, shouted.

Before his orders could be carried out there was a sudden movement, and
four men burst through them and joined Hector. The assailants hesitated.

But again the man behind shouted: "Cow