king ten questions in a breath, never waiting for
answer, and detailing the hardships of their own journey of four
leagues or so from Paris. I had no chance of another word with her,
and rode morosely by Lorgnac's side.

That night we lay at the priory of Longpont; but I saw nothing of
mademoiselle, for the ladies both dined and supped by themselves,
leaving De Lorgnac and myself to our own devices. After supper, as we
paced the garden together, De Lorgnac gave me the news of the day,
mentioning, amongst other things, that Vendome had returned to the
Court once more, and that all differences between him and the Duchess
de Valentinois appeared to have been buried. I glanced at the signet
that I wore on my finger, Vendome's gift to me, saying:

"That is, perhaps, the best thing that could have happened for me; but
I little dreamed that Vendome would ever have joined hands with Diane."

"As to that," he said, "I have long ceased to be surprised at anything.
Poor Le Brusquet was in disgrace for a whole day for suggesting a new
device for the Duke--a weathercock on a steeple." And he laughed as he
added: "The Duke came back almost a week ago, with five hundred
gentlemen in his train--amongst others the late rebel De Ganache, for
whom he has obtained a pardon."

"De Ganache!"

"Yes; there has been a turn of the wheel, and for the moment the new
religion is in favour. What it means I know not; but as for De
Ganache, the Court gossips are already linking his name with Diane's.
'Tis certain he is ever at her heels."

"The weathercock would suit him as well as Vendome," I said a little
bitterly; "but it is good news that even for the moment the new faith
is in favour. It removes one danger, and the other is----"

"Back in Paris," interrupted De Lorgnac.

"You mean my brother?"

"Yes; the Vidame came back a trifle over a fortnight ago with an arm
very much hurt and one-third of his usual following of cut-throats."

"He will not have much trouble in filling his vacancies; but is he much
hurt?" And I smiled grimly to myself.

"Oh! he was badly pinked; but his arm is out of its sling now. There
is some devil's broth preparing, and he and Diane are the cooks. Le
Brusquet, however, has sworn to put his ladle into it, and so we shall
see things ere long."

"Not I," I laughed. "I shall be in Italy with Montluc."

"You may not," was the dry answer. "Recollect that the Queen has the
first claim on you, and the wa