t no one can say with whom she will ally herself. Hitherto
she has been simply anti-Richelieu, and was his most troublesome and
bitter enemy; and I should say that not improbably she will at once
begin to conspire against Mazarin as she did against him. She has been
the queen's greatest ally; but then the queen was always a bitter enemy
of Richelieu, whereas at present it is supposed that she is strongly
in favour of Mazarin. In a few months the situation will clear itself,
parties will become defined. No doubt Enghien's victory will add to the
power and importance of Conde, who is already dangerously strong; then
matters will become interesting. At present the situation is somewhat
chaotic, and politics will not be openly and generally discussed, simply
because no one knows what anyone else's opinion may be."

"Well, then, till the evening I will say goodbye, colonel. I am going
to have a chat with Sergeant MacIntosh, and shall then return to Conde's
hotel. I suppose I shall be expected to take my midday meal there."

"It would be as well to do so certainly, even though it is like enough
that he himself will not be there. He is the prince of schemers, and
doubtless at present his thoughts are concentrated on the manner in
which he and Enghien can best gain advantages from the victory."

CHAPTER X: AN ESTATE AND TITLE

On entering the Scottish Soldier, Hector found that, as he hoped, the
cabaret was deserted, for it was the hour at which the regiment was
assembled for drill. It would have been a little embarrassing for him
as a colonel to come upon a number of private soldiers at the cabaret.
Separately he might have chatted with each, but a general greeting when
a number of them were there together would have been embarrassing.

The old sergeant as he entered ran up to him. "Well done, my lad, well
done! 'Tis a delight to me indeed to know that you have so grandly made
your way, and already won the rank of colonel."

"Why, how did you know, MacIntosh?"

"The guard at the colonel's was changed just after you went into his
quarters, and you may be sure that they lost no time in spreading the
news that you had returned, and returned a colonel. In ten minutes this
place was as full as it would hold, and there was such a crowd outside
the door that a sergeant-de-ville came in to inquire what was the
matter, thinking, perhaps, that the regiment was in mutiny. I was right
glad when I heard the trumpet sound the as