cers in the Parisian forces rushed
at that instant on Raoul, but Aramis protected him with his sword.

"My prisoner!" he cried.

Athos took his son's horse by the bridle and led him forth out of the
melee.

At this crisis of the battle, the prince, who had been seconding De
Chatillon in the second line, appeared in the midst of the fight; his
eagle eye made him known and his blows proclaimed the hero.

On seeing him, the regiment of Corinth, which the coadjutor had not been
able to reorganize in spite of all his efforts, threw itself into the
midst of the Parisian forces, put them into confusion and re-entered
Charenton flying. The coadjutor, dragged along with his fugitive forces,
passed near the group formed by Athos, Raoul and Aramis. Aramis could
not in his jealousy avoid being pleased at the coadjutor's misfortune,
and was about to utter some bon mot more witty than correct, when Athos
stopped him.

"On, on!" he cried, "this is no moment for compliments; or rather, back,
for the battle seems to be lost by the Frondeurs."

"It is a matter of indifference to me," said Aramis; "I came here only
to meet De Chatillon; I have met him, I am contented; 'tis something to
have met De Chatillon in a duel!"

"And besides, we have a prisoner," said Athos, pointing to Raoul.

The three cavaliers continued their road on full gallop.

"What were you doing in the battle, my friend?" inquired Athos of the
youth; "'twas not your right place, I think, as you were not equipped
for an engagement!"

"I had no intention of fighting to-day, sir; I was charged, indeed,
with a mission to the cardinal and had set out for Rueil, when, seeing
Monsieur de Chatillon charge, an invincible desire possessed me to
charge at his side. It was then that he told me two cavaliers of the
Parisian army were seeking me and named the Comte de la Fere."

"What! you knew we were there and yet wished to kill your friend the
chevalier?"

"I did not recognize the chevalier in armor, sir!" said Raoul, blushing;
"though I might have known him by his skill and coolness in danger."

"Thank you for the compliment, my young friend," replied Aramis, "we can
see from whom you learned courtesy. Then you were going to Rueil?"

"Yes! I have a despatch from the prince to his eminence."

"You must still deliver it," said Athos.

"No false generosity, count! the fate of our friends, to say nothing of
our own, is perhaps in that very despatch."

"This young