post, I am sure he would prefer one that gave him
full opportunity for taking an active part.

"With De Laville it is different. He is a French noble; and maybe,
someday, you will be king of France. He is of a brave and
adventurous spirit; but methinks that the young Englishman has a
greater genius for war. His cousin, although older, I observe
generally appeals to him for his opinion; and has frankly and nobly
given him the chief credit, in the affairs in which he has been
engaged."

The Admiral was not mistaken. Francois, when asked if he would like
to be appointed as one of the gentlemen about the prince's person,
at once embraced the offer; which, as he saw, afforded him great
openings for advancement in the future. His only regret was that it
would separate him from Philip.

When he said as much to his cousin, on informing him of the
unexpected honour that had befallen him, Philip replied at once:

"Do not think of that, Francois. I shall of course be sorry; but I
shall see you often, and you would be wrong to refuse such an
offer. The King of France has no children. His two brothers are
unmarried. Anjou is, from all accounts, reckless and dissolute; and
Alencon is sickly. They alone stand between Henry of Navarre and
the throne of France and, should he succeed to it, his intimates
will gain honours, rank, and possessions. There is not a young
noble but would feel honoured by being selected for the post.

"As for fighting, no one can say how long these troubles may last;
and I am greatly mistaken if those round Henry of Navarre, when he
reaches manhood, will not have their full share of it."

Therefore, when the two newly-made young knights went to La
Rochelle, for quiet and sea air, it was with the understanding
that, as soon as their strength was thoroughly recovered, Francois
should resign the command of the troop to Philip, and would himself
ride with the Prince of Navarre and his cousin Conde. Francois had
at once written to his mother, with the news of his appointment
and, a few days after they reached La Rochelle, received an answer
expressing her gratification.

"I rejoice," she said, "not only because it is a post of high
honour, but because it will take you somewhat out of the heat of
the fray. I have not hesitated to let you risk your life in the
cause; but you are my only son and, were you slain, I should be
alone in the world; and the title would go to one of your cousins,
for whom I care no