orm you where to
station yourself."

"Another adventure?" inquired Humphreys, when I returned to him.

"Pouf! A bagatelle, nothing more! Le Tellier is anxious that I should
have a good view of the procession. You will accompany the Queen, I
suppose?"

"The orders have not yet been issued. It is a good idea this of
declaring the King of age; though he is only a youngster."

"Fourteen," I said. "It is understood that his mother will continue to
rule as before."

"Just so. But in the King's name. Don't you see that it will cut the
ground from under the feet of her enemies? While they would plot
against the Regent, they will not dare to raise arms against the King.
I call it a very sensible proceeding. People will have to choose sides
now, either with the King or with his foes. If Conde and De Retz do
not submit, they will be rebels. They must either obey or defy the
King, and we shall have a plain issue."

"It will keep Mazarin out, though."

"Quite so. If I were you I should obtain a post under the young King."

This was sensible advice, but considering myself still in Mazarin's
employ, I decided to let the matter wait a while longer. Perhaps I
might even yet hear from Belloc.

On the morning of the eventful day I took my place, by Le Tellier's
orders, about a hundred yards from the gates of the Palais de Justice.
Other cavaliers, well armed, were stationed at short intervals along
the line of route, making little show, but ready at any moment to
pounce on any one endeavouring to stir up strife.

As it chanced, Le Tellier's precautions were not required. There was a
tremendous crowd, but the people were in the best of humour, and amused
themselves by shouting "_Vive le Roi!_" with all their might. They
cheered for the Queen-Mother as well, and, listening to them, one would
have thought Paris the most loyal city under the sun.

"_Ma foi!_" exclaimed the cavalier on my right, "it is wonderful; but
how long will it last?"

"Till the show is over most likely. The citizens love a pretty
spectacle, no matter who provides it."

Round after round of cheering announced the approach of the procession,
which was on the most magnificent scale. After a body of trumpeters
came fifty guides clothed in the Royal livery, and then eight hundred
gorgeously dressed nobles on horseback.

I felt a passing pang of envy at sight of the nobleman who led the
Light Horse. His robe was of gold embroidery, and he