s that she should aid me to a
position in the Spanish service that would allow me during my exile to
find occupation and perchance renown. To this my aunt most graciously
acceded, and when at length I took my leave--with such gratitude in my
heart that what words I could think of seemed but clumsily to express
it--I bore in the breast of my doublet a letter to Don Juan de
Cordova--a noble of great prominence at the Spanish Court--and in the
pocket of my haut-de-chausses a rouleau of two hundred gold pistoles, as
welcome as they were heavy.

CHAPTER XXII. OF MY SECOND JOURNEY TO CANAPLES

An hour after I had quitted the Hotel de Luynes, Michelot and I left
Paris by the barrier St. Michel and took the Orleans road. How different
it looked in the bright June sunshine, to the picture which it had
presented to our eyes on that February evening, four months ago, when
last we had set out upon that same journey!

Not only in nature had a change been wrought, but in my very self. My
journey then had been aimless, and I had scarcely known whither I was
bound nor had I fostered any great concern thereon. Now I rode in hot
haste with a determined purpose, a man of altered fortunes and altered
character.

Into Choisy we clattered at a brisk pace, but at the sight of the inn
of the Connetable such memories surged up that I was forced to draw rein
and call for a cup of Anjou, which I drank in the saddle. Thereafter we
rode without interruption through Longjumeau, Arpajon, and Etrechy, and
so well did we use our horses that as night fell we reached Etampes.

From inquiries that Michelot had made on the road, we learned that no
troop such as that which rode with St. Auban had lately passed that way,
so that 't was clear we were in front of them.

But scarce had we finished supper in the little room which I had hired
at the Gros Paon, when, from below, a stamping of hoofs, the jangle of
arms, and the shouts of many men told me that we were overtaken.

Clearly I did not burn with a desire to linger, but rather it seemed to
me that although night had closed in, black and moonless, we must set
out again, and push on to Monnerville, albeit our beasts were worn and
the distance a good three leagues.

With due precaution we effected our departure, and thereafter had a spur
been needed to speed us on our way that spur we had in the knowledge
that St. Auban came close upon our heels. At Monnerville we slept, and
next morning we