gain
endeavouring to make terms with the King. In these circumstances I
half expected to find my old comrade at Poitiers, where it was almost
certain John Humphreys would be.

Meanwhile we marched peacefully through the country, and the friends of
Conde, if the rebel prince possessed any friends in these parts,
remained very quiet, and most of the people cheered Mazarin as loudly
as they had before hooted him. At Poitiers itself we had a magnificent
reception. We marched along with drums beating and banners flying; the
road was lined with throngs of excited people cheering madly for the
army of the Cardinal, and presently a loud cry announced the coming of
the King.

Thunders of applause arose on all sides, and people screamed themselves
hoarse shouting, "_Vive le Roi!_" "_Vive Mazarin!_"

I caught a glimpse of the boy king and his young brother as they joined
the Cardinal, and rode with him to the town, where the Queen waited at
a window to see him pass. It must have been a proud moment for the man
who had once been ignominiously expelled from France.

As soon as the procession broke up, I instructed Pillot where to stable
the horses, and went about seeking Raoul and John Humphreys. The town
was filled with soldiers and officers of the Court, while thousands of
the troops were quartered in the neighbouring villages. I met several
old friends, but not Raoul, when suddenly I heard a hearty, "How are
you, De Lalande?" and there was the smiling face of an officer of the
Queen's Guards.

"John Humphreys!" I exclaimed, and then grasping the meaning of his new
uniform, "you have received a commission? Splendid! I knew from the
first it must come. Presently, my dear fellow, you must tell me all
about it, but first, do you know anything of Raoul Beauchamp? Is he
still at the Luxembourg, or has he joined the King?"

"Turenne has given him a commission in the royal army, and he is
quartered in one of the villages near. If you are not on duty we will
visit him."

"With all my heart! I have nothing in particular to do before the
morning."

"Very well; it is not far; we can walk easily."

The district round Poitiers had the appearance of a huge camp, and the
white scarves of the King mingled with the green ones of the Cardinal.
We moved with some difficulty, until, at last, getting clear of the
crowd, we reached the road, or rather cart-track leading to the village.

"There he is!" cried Humphreys presently.