telligence, for it was evident that, had
the ambuscade been unsuspected, they would have taken the cavalry in
the rear at the critical moment of the battle, and would have opened so
heavy a fire that even the bravest of cavalry, thus surprised and
shot down by an unsuspected foe in their rear, might have fallen into
confusion. Being forewarned, the duke directed his first charge upon
the wood, took the musketeers by surprise, and annihilated them, before
charging and routing the enemy's horse. Thus you see, ladies, that we
have another illustration of the mouse saving the lion, and the lion was
generous and noble minded enough to give the mouse full credit for the
service that he had rendered him."

"Then we have good reason to be grateful to you, monsieur le baron,"
Madame Chevreuse said, laying aside the bantering tone in which she
had before addressed the young Scot, "and her majesty has done well
to reward your loyalty, for the estate is a fine one, and has remained
without a master since Richelieu brought its last owner to the block
for having, as he affirmed, conspired against the king--that is to
say, against himself. You have begun well indeed, sir. Henceforth the
Duchesse de Longueville and myself may be counted upon as your friends.
And now," she said, changing the subject abruptly, "as you say that you
are anxious to be off, with whom will you serve, with Turenne or with
Enghien? For I hear that Turenne has been sent for to take the command
of the army of the Rhine."

"I belong to Viscount Turenne," Hector said. "It is to him that I owe
everything. He picked me up a rough boy, with no recommendation save
that my father died fighting for France, and that I was more addicted to
military study than most lads of my age, and that, as he was good enough
to say, I reminded him of his own boyhood. It was owing to his kindness
and his tuition that I have now made my way, and it was still further to
increase my military knowledge that he sent me for a time to serve under
the Duc d'Enghien. Therefore, much as I admire the glory that the duke
has gained, and recognize his extraordinary genius, I feel that duty and
gratitude alike bind me to my great master."

"Quite right," the Duchesse de Longueville said warmly. "I am sure that
my brother will approve of your decision. He admires Turenne as much as
you do, and regards him as his master in military science, and it may be
perhaps that one of these days you will take pa