the fight."

Hector nodded his assent.

"Well, it is as well they were found out and surprised before the other
part of the business began, or there is no saying how the battle would
have ended. We heard you had got your company. Turenne himself was good
enough, when he came here to confer with Richelieu that summer, to
call at the barracks and to give me an account of the service you had
rendered. We all agreed that the rank was well earned, and I have no
doubt that this new step has been just as honourably gained. And how do
you think matters are going?"

"I know nothing about it, sir, beyond the fact that it was not a secret
that Enghien and Gassion were both in favour of advancing at once into
Flanders, and capturing the Spanish strong places before they could
gather another army together."

"No doubt that would be the best way, but I should doubt very much if
Enghien will be allowed to carry out his plans. You see, the king's
will, appointing a council to act in concert with Conde, Orleans, and
the queen, has been set at nought. The queen is absolute regent, and
Mazarin is her minister--just as Richelieu was minister of Louis. Of
course this victory will put everyone in the best of temper, and make
the way easy for Mazarin just at first, but a defeat would set all the
cliques at work against him.

"It is quite true that the defeat would not be his fault, but for some
mysterious reason or other the French always hold the ministers, for
the time being, responsible for military disasters. So long as Mazarin
checks Enghien, and prevents his running any risks of disaster, things
are likely to go on smoothly here, and you may be sure that he will
give the prince no chance of either suffering a defeat or achieving a
victory. You see, the prince and his father together might be a great
deal too powerful for the cardinal. Everyone knows that Conde himself
has never cared much for anything but his own interests. Enghien has
the character of being the most impetuous and violent young noble of the
day, and the fact that he forced this fight when, as is generally known,
l'Hopital had the strictest orders not to risk a battle, makes it clear
that Enghien has but little regard for authority.

"You will see that Mazarin will not give him further opportunities of
becoming the idol of France until he has assured himself that he can
count upon his friendship. Mazarin is not Richelieu. The red cardinal
won his way to the leader