in the balcony
of the _Hotel Coligny_. Catching sight of us, she stood up and waved her
hand, and we bowed low in our saddles, and smiled, and waved our hands
in return.

"Your sister is more beautiful than ever, Edmond," said my comrade
enthusiastically.

"She looked paler, I thought," I replied, as we turned into the
courtyard; "but now the war is over we shall have a chance to cheer her
a little."

"Did she see Roger Braund, do you think?"

"It is likely enough," I laughed; "he is a fair size, and sits up well
in the saddle," a harmless pleasantry which, to judge by his peevish
exclamation, Felix did not appreciate.

That evening we all met at the reception given by the Queen of Navarre,
a reception brilliant by reason of the number of brave men and beautiful
women assembled. I had spent an hour alone with Jeanne during the
afternoon, and she had told me of our mother's illness, and of her last
loving message to myself.

I asked how she came to be in the Queen of Navarre's household, and her
eyes kindled and her face flushed as she answered, "Oh, Edmond, the
queen has been the kindest of friends! She sought me out in my sorrow,
saying it was not right that the daughter of so brave a soldier as my
father should be left to bear her grief alone. She insisted on my
becoming one of her ladies-in-waiting, and ever since has done her best
to make me happy."

My sister was certainly very beautiful, and I could not wonder to see
the numbers of handsome and highborn cavaliers who clustered around her
that evening. But Jeanne was staunch and leal, and, though courteous to
all, it was in the company of her old friends Felix and Roger she found
her chief pleasure.

We four were chatting together, and Felix was describing in his lively
way some of our adventures, when Henry of Bearn drew near.

"Le Blanc," he exclaimed, looking at me, "surely it is Le Blanc!" and
taking my arm he added jovially, "come with me, I must present you
specially to my mother. She ought to know to whom she is indebted for
her son's life."

Jeanne looked at me in surprise, and as we moved away I heard Felix
saying, "I warrant he never told you a word of that. By my faith, one
could hardly blame him had he cried it from the housetops!"

Meanwhile the prince marched up the room, his arm placed affectionately
on my shoulder, and presented me to the gracious lady who was such a
tower of strength to the Cause.

"Madame," he said in his hearty