ghing,
"and shows indeed the truth of what you have said as to your ignorance
of women. Do you not know, sir; that it is an unwritten law at court
that every gentleman here must be at the feet of one fair lady?"

"I suppose that, had I been brought up at court," Hector said, "I should
not be more insensible than others; but when one passes three-quarters
of one's time on horseback, and that under a commander like Turenne, who
sets us all an example in the matter of endurance and watchfulness, one
has small leisure indeed for aught else, and indeed is glad enough to
seek one's bed as soon as the day's work is done."

"If you are another Turenne," Madame de Chevreuse laughed, "I give you
up. He is the most insensible of men. His head contains but one idea,
and that is duty; and as to us poor creatures, he is as insensible as
was St. Anthony."

At this moment the door that separated the salon from that of the queen
opened, and the names of Monsieur de Penthiere and Monsieur de Caussac
were called. The two officers at once passed into the inner room.

"You are either left out in the cold, monsieur le colonel, or you will
have the honour of a separate audience," Madame de Chevreuse said.

"As I have been rewarded far above my merits for any service that I
have rendered," Hector said quietly, "it is probable that the queen has
nothing to say to me. She was pleased to receive me very graciously this
morning, and gave me her hand to kiss, and I assuredly have no right to
expect any further favours."

In a few minutes the two officers came out, both looking radiant, the
queen having graciously presented them with the titles to two estates. A
minute later Hector's name was called, and he went off, with a deep bow
to the ladies and a murmured apology for leaving them.

"A loyal spirit, surely," Madame de Chevreuse said; "bizarre, of course,
and at present simple as a child. Moreover, I should say that the
atmosphere of the court will not infect him as it has the others. It
is refreshing to meet with one who, although he must have distinguished
himself vastly, is still modest and simple, without a shadow of conceit
or of self consciousness. He spoke as frankly to us as if we were two
waiting maids at a cabaret. However, men of that stamp may always be
made useful, and I would rather have the devotion of a young officer
like that, who is, I should say, likely to rise to high rank, than that
of half a dozen men ready to lay th