had believed that both had
fallen in the massacre. He took great interest in Philip's love
affair, and made inquiries in the royal camp; where he learned that
Mademoiselle de Valecourt was supposed to have perished with her
father, in the massacre; and that the estates had already been
bestowed, by the king, on one of his favourites.

"I should say that, if our cause should finally triumph, a portion
at least of her estates will be restored to her; but in that case
the king would certainly claim to dispose of her hand."

"I care nothing for the estates, nor does she," Philip said. "She
will go with me to England, as soon as the fighting here is over;
and if things look hopeless, we shall embark, and endeavour to
break through the blockade by the king's ships. Even had she the
estates, she would not remain in France, which has become hateful
to her. She is now fully restored to health, and we shall shortly
be married."

When De la Noue next went out to the French camp, he sent a
despatch to the king, saying that Mademoiselle de Valecourt had
escaped the massacre and was in La Rochelle. He pointed out that,
as long as she lived, the Huguenots would, if at any time they
became strong enough to make terms, insist upon the restoration of
her estates, as well as those of others that had been confiscated.
He said that he had had an interview with her, and had learned that
she intended, if a proper provision should be secured for her, to
retire to England. He therefore prayed his majesty, as a favour to
him and as an act of justice, to require the nobleman to whom he
had granted the estates to pay her a handsome sum, when she would
make a formal renunciation of the estates in his favour.

A month later he received the royal answer, saying that the king
had graciously taken the case of Mademoiselle de Valecourt into his
consideration, that he had spoken to the nobleman to whom he had
granted her estate, and to the Duke of Guise, whose near relative
he was; and that these noblemen had placed in his hands the sum of
ten thousand livres, for which was enclosed an order, payable by
the treasury of the army upon the signatures of Monsieur de la Noue
and Mademoiselle de Valecourt, and upon the handing over of the
document of renunciation signed by her.

Monsieur de la Noue had told Philip nothing of these negotiations
but, having obtained from Claire the necessary signature he, one
evening, on his return from the royal camp, ca