--a fig for the Cardinal's
threat to hang me if I were found in his nephew's company!

"My suit of buff, Michelot," I shouted, springing to my feet, "and my
leather jerkin."

He gazed at me in surprise.

"Is Monsieur going a journey?"

I answered him that I was, and as I spoke I began to divest myself of
the clothes I wore. "Pack my suit of pearl grey in the valise, with what
changes of linen I possess; then call Master Coupri that I may settle
with him. It may be some time before we return."

In less than half an hour I was ready for the journey, spurred
and booted, with my rapier at my side, and in the pocket of my
haut-de-chausses a purse containing some fifty pistoles--best part of
which I had won from Vilmorin at lansquenet some nights before, and
which moderate sum represented all the moneys that I possessed.

Our horses were ready, my pistols holstered, and my valise strapped
to Michelot's saddle. Despite the desperate outlook of my fortunes, of
which I had made him fully cognisant, he insisted upon clinging to me,
reminding me that at Rocroi I had saved his life and that he would leave
me only when I bade him go.

As four o'clock was striking at Notre Dame we crossed the Pont Neuf,
and going by the Quai des Augustins and the Rue de la Harpe, we quitted
Paris by the St. Michel Gate and took the road to Choisy. The rain
had ceased, but the air was keen and cold, and the wind cut like a
sword-edge.

CHAPTER V. MAZARIN, THE MATCH-MAKER

Twixt Paris and Choisy there lies but a distance of some two leagues,
which, given a fair horse, one may cover with ease in little more than
half an hour. So that as the twilight was deepening into night we drew
rein before the hostelry of the Connetable, in the only square the
little township boasts, and from the landlord I had that obsequious
reception which is ever accorded to him who travels with a body-servant.

I found Andrea installed in a fair-sized and comfortable apartment, to
the original decoration of which he added not a little by bestowing his
boots in the centre of the floor, his hat, sword, and baldrick on the
table, his cloak on one chair, and his doublet on another. He himself
sat toasting his feet before the blazing logs, which cast a warm,
reddish glow upon his sable hair and dainty shirt of cambric.

He sprang up as I entered, and came towards me with a look of pleasure
on his handsome, high-bred face, that did me good to see.

"So, you hav