ons of this kind
lead to trouble, especially when they happen a few days before serious
events. I like you, Colonel Campbell, and that is why I have mentioned
this; you understand me, I have no doubt;" and, turning to a gentleman
who had at that moment approached her, she entered into a lively
conversation with him, and Hector rose, and with the words, "Thank you,
madam," bowed, and moved away.

It was easy to understand her meaning. Beaufort and the conspirators
whose plan he had thwarted, and who had suffered imprisonment and exile
thereby, had in some way discovered that it was to him that they owed
their failure and disgrace. At the moment his explanation and that of
his officers had deceived them, but doubtless someone whose connection
with the plot was unsuspected had instituted inquiries, found that the
party he had spoken of had not taken place, and had at once come to
the conclusion that he had in some way discovered their intentions, had
really ridden out with his officers to furnish a guard to Mazarin, and
had afterwards acquainted him with what he had discovered. Doubtless,
as Madame de Chevreuse had warned him, the air of Paris was at present
dangerously unwholesome for him. He had been the means of bringing
disgrace and punishment upon the Duc de Vendome and the Duke of
Beaufort, two of the most powerful nobles in France, and a host of their
friends.

It was probable that they only recently assured themselves that it was
he who had thwarted their plans; had it been otherwise he would scarcely
have escaped their vengeance the last time that he was in Paris. Now,
from what Madame de Chevreuse had said, he had no doubt whatever that
some plot would be made against his life. He might thwart one such
attempt, but others would follow. He resolved to lay the matter before
the cardinal and take his advice. Accordingly he waited until he was
leaving; several gentlemen of his suite accompanied him, and at the
entrance to the Louvre the men of the cardinal's guard fell in on either
side. When they reached Mazarin's hotel Hector moved up to him.

"Can I have a few words with you, your eminence?"

"Certainly, Colonel Campbell; I never retire to bed till long past
midnight. It is something serious, I see," he said quickly as they
entered his apartment, where a number of candles were burning, and he
obtained a full view of Hector's face. "Another plot?"

"Not against your eminence; it is a matter which concerns myse