s horse would not carry him ten miles, and secondly, that he had no
money. But Grimaud's ingenuity was more prolific than his speech,
and therefore at the first halt he sold his steed and with the money
obtained from the purchase took post horses.

34. On the Eve of Battle.

Raoul was aroused from his sombre reflections by his host, who rushed
into the apartment crying out, "The Spaniards! the Spaniards!"

That cry was of such importance as to overcome all preoccupation. The
young men made inquiries and ascertained that the enemy was advancing by
way of Houdin and Bethune.

While Monsieur d'Arminges gave orders for the horses to be made ready
for departure, the two young men ascended to the upper windows of the
house and saw in the direction of Marsin and of Lens a large body
of infantry and cavalry. This time it was not a wandering troop of
partisans; it was an entire army. There was therefore nothing for them
to do but to follow the prudent advice of Monsieur d'Arminges and beat
a retreat. They quickly went downstairs. Monsieur d'Arminges was already
mounted. Olivain had ready the horses of the young men, and the lackeys
of the Count de Guiche guarded carefully between them the Spanish
prisoner, mounted on a pony which had been bought for his use. As a
further precaution they had bound his hands.

The little company started off at a trot on the road to Cambrin, where
they expected to find the prince. But he was no longer there, having
withdrawn on the previous evening to La Bassee, misled by false
intelligence of the enemy's movements. Deceived by this intelligence he
had concentrated his forces between Vieille-Chapelle and La Venthie; and
after a reconnoissance along the entire line, in company with Marshal
de Grammont, he had returned and seated himself before a table, with
his officers around him. He questioned them as to the news they had
each been charged to obtain, but nothing positive had been learned. The
hostile army had disappeared two days before and seemed to have gone out
of existence.

Now an enemy is never so near and consequently so threatening, as when
he has completely disappeared. The prince was, therefore, contrary to
his custom, gloomy and anxious, when an officer entered and announced to
Marshal de Grammont that some one wished to see him.

The Duc de Grammont received permission from the prince by a glance and
went out. The prince followed him with his eyes and continued looking