the spirit of
knight errants than that of soldiers. Each hopes to distinguish himself,
not for the sake of advancing his military career, but simply that he
may stand well in the eyes of some court beauty. The campaign once over,
they will return to Paris, and think no more of military service until
another campaign led by a prince of the blood like Enghien takes place,
when they will again take up arms and fight in his company.

"Such campaigns as those under Turenne in Italy would be distasteful
in the extreme to them. They would doubtless bear the hardships as
unflinchingly as we professional soldiers, but as soon as they could
with honour retire you may be sure they would do so. It is well for us
that they should. Were it otherwise our chances of advancement would
be rare indeed, while as it is there are plenty of openings for men of
determination and perseverance who will carry out precisely any order
given to them, and who are always, whether in the field or in winter
quarters, under the eyes of a commander like Turenne, who remains with
his army instead of rushing off like d'Harcourt to spend his winter in
the gaieties of the court, and to receive their smiles and praises as a
reward for his successes."

"I suppose, general, there is no doubt that we shall give battle to the
Spaniards?"

"No doubt whatever. It depends upon Enghien, though no doubt the marshal
will throw every obstacle in the way. In the first place, there can be
no denying that the Spanish infantry are superb, and that Fuentes, who
commands them, is a fine old soldier, while our infantry are largely
composed of new levies. Thus, though the armies are not unequal in
strength, l'Hopital may well consider the chances of victory to be
against us. In the second place, in a battle Enghien will be in command,
and though all of us recognize that he possesses extraordinary ability,
his impetuosity might well lead to a disaster. Then the marshal must
feel that while the glory of a victory would fall to Enghien, the
discredit of a defeat would be given to him, while if aught happened to
Enghien himself the wrath of Conde and his faction would bring about his
disgrace.

"I doubt not that he has received instructions not to hazard a battle
except under extraordinary circumstances, while Enghien would, if
possible, bring one about under any circumstances whatever. Lastly, the
king is desperately ill, ill unto death, some say, and none can foretell
what w