the meantime events were happening in the mountains which might easily
have changed the state of mind of the young chief. The Comte de Tournan,
who was in command at Florae, had encountered Roland's army in the plain
of Fondmortes, and had lost two hundred men, a considerable sum of money,
and eighty mules loaded with provisions. The anxiety which this news
caused to M. de Villars was soon relieved; for six days after the defeat
he received a letter from Cavalier by the hands of Lacombe, the same who
had brought about the interview on the bridge of Avenes. In this letter
Cavalier expressed the greatest regret for what had just happened.

D'Aygaliers therefore found Cavalier in the best of humours when he
joined him at Tarnac. The first feeling that the young chief felt on
receiving the invitation was one of stupefaction; for an interview with
the marechal was an honour so unexpected and so great, that his
impression was that some treason lay behind it; but he was soon reassured
when he recalled the character for loyalty which the marechal bore, and
how impossible it was that d'Aygaliers should lend himself to treachery.
So Cavalier sent back word that he would obey the marechal's orders; and
that he put himself entirely into his hands in what concerned the
arrangements for the interview. M. de Villars let him know that he would
expect him on the 16th in the garden of the convent of the Recollets of
Nimes, which lay just outside the city, between the gates of Beaucaire
and the Madeleine, and that Lalande would meet him beyond Carayrac to
receive him and to bring him hostages.

CHAPTER IV

On the 15th May Cavalier set out from Tarnac at the head of one hundred
and sixty foot-soldiers and fifty horse; he was accompanied by his young
brother and by d'Aygaliers and Lacombe. They all passed the night at
Langlade.

The next day they set out for Nimes, and, as had been agreed upon, were
met by Lalande between Saint-Cesaire and Carayrac. Lalande advanced to
greet Cavalier and present the hostages to him. These hostages were M. de
La Duretiere, captain of the Fimarcon regiment, a captain of infantry,
several other officers, and ten dragoons. Cavalier passed them over to
his lieutenant, Ravanel, who was in command of the infantry, and left
them in his charge at Saint-Cesaire. The cavalry accompanied him to
within a musket-shot of Nimes, and encamped upon the heights. Besides
this, Cavalier posted sentinels and mo