so you might carelessly mention that
you and your officers had ridden out in a party at St. Germain, and that
on your way back you chanced to fall in with my carriage."

At the barracks Hector called the officers together. "Gentlemen," he
said, "I have no doubt that your little ride today has somewhat puzzled
you. I am not at liberty to tell you the reason why I requested you
to ride with me; but it is very probable that you may be asked the
question, and I beg you all to remember that we have been on a little
party of pleasure to St. Germain, and having dined there were on our way
back when we overtook the carriage of the cardinal; and seeing that
he had the Duke of Orleans with him, we reined back and followed him,
deeming that it would not appear respectful were we to gallop past the
carriage. Please bear this story in mind. Recall also that we dined at
the Lion d'Or there, that our dinner was a good one and that it was a
sort of celebration on my part of our two companies having the honour to
be chosen for duty in Paris. This is a matter upon which much depends;
it is, in fact, a matter of state; and you may well imagine that I
should not be recalling these events to your mind were it not that a
good deal depends upon it, and that I have received strict orders
that this little comedy shall be carried out. I know that I can rely
implicitly upon your discretion, and I have indeed answered for you all.
The story will be true in every respect. Instead of the excursion having
come off today it shall come off on the first day I can arrange that we
can be all off duty."

That evening at the palace Hector was, as the cardinal predicted,
accosted by one of Beaufort's officers, to whom he had been previously
introduced. After talking on other subjects for a few minutes, he said:

"I saw you today, monsieur, riding with a party of your officers along
the Rue St. Honore. You did not notice me?"

"I assure you that I did not, sir, or I should not have been so rude
as to pass without saluting you." Then he added with a laugh, "We were
riding slowly, too, for the cardinal's coach was in front of us, and it
would not have been good manners to have galloped past him, especially
as he had the Duke of Orleans with him."

"Had you been far?" the other asked carelessly.

"No great distance; a little party of pleasure with my officers to eat
a dinner together, to celebrate the honour we had received in being
brought into Paris. My