and when there became
seized with an ardour for study, especially that of ancient and
modern writers who treated on military subjects. As soon as he
reached manhood he joined the army in Piedmont, under Marshal de
Brissac, that being the best military school of the time.

"On his return he showed the singular and affectionate kindness of
his nature. His mother, unfortunately, while he was away, had
become infected with the spirit of gambling; and the king, who had
noted the talent and kind disposition of the young page, thought to
do him a service by preventing his mother squandering the estates
in play. He therefore took the management of her affairs entirely
out of her hands, appointing a royal officer to look after them.
Now most young men would have rejoiced at becoming masters of their
estates; but the first thing that Francois did, on his return, was
to go to the king and solicit, as a personal favour, that his
mother should be reinstated in the management of her estates. This
was granted, but a short time afterwards she died. De La Noue
retired from court, and settled in Brittany upon his estates, which
were extensive.

"Shortly afterwards D'Andelot, Coligny's brother, who was about to
espouse Mademoiselle De Rieux, the richest heiress in Brittany,
paid a visit there. He had lately embraced our faith, and was bent
upon bringing over others to it; and he brought down with him to
Brittany a famous preacher named Cormel. His preaching in the
chateau attracted large numbers of people, and although Brittany is
perhaps the most Catholic province in France, he made many
converts. Among these was De La Noue, then twenty-seven years old.
Recognizing his talent and influence, D'Andelot had made special
efforts to induce him to join the ranks of the Huguenots, and
succeeded.

"My cousin, who previous to that had, I believe, no special
religious views, became a firm Huguenot. As you might expect with
such a man, he is in no way a fanatic, and does not hold the
extreme views that we have learned from the preachers of Geneva. He
is a staunch Huguenot, but he is gentle, courtly, and polished; and
has, I believe, the regard of men of both parties. He is a personal
friend of the Guises, and was appointed by them as one of the group
of nobles who accompanied Marie Stuart to Scotland.

"When the war broke out in 1562, after the massacre of Vassy, he
joined the standard of Conde. He fought at Dreux, and distinguished
himself