ame I play,
and it is not checkmate yet. Where have they taken Orrain?"

"The Chatelet."

"And mademoiselle?"

"I know not. I know not if she is alive or dead."

Le Brusquet groaned. "That is the worst tale of all. Orrain, I think,
we can save."

"How so?"

For answer Le Brusquet held up my ring. "With this talisman!" And
slipping it on his finger he continued: "It is not for nothing that I
studied law at the College of Cambrai. As first prince of the blood,
Vendome can claim Orrain from the Chatelet. If he has any gratitude he
will do so."

"I never thought of that. I saw the prisoners taken to the Chatelet.
There were two, Orrain and La Mothe, who is as well known to be of the
prince's household as Vendome himself is known to be a heretic."

"Yes; a heretic too great to be touched. But he must pay his debts. I
am going at once to see Vendome. Stay here if you like. You know
where to find the wine. No, Pompon, not to-night!" And pushing back
the ape, who had made ready to follow him, he went off.

It was gay that night in the salon of La Valentinois. The Queen had
gone to St. Germain-en-Laye, where the royal children were, and all
those who could had flocked to the apartments of the favourite, to pay
their court to the crescent moon. The King had retired earlier than
usual, for he meant to hunt on the morrow; but his absence only made
the revelry more unrestrained. The card-tables were full, and at one
of them sat Diane herself, playing with Caraffa against Vendome and the
Marshal St. Andre, and surrounded by a crowd who watched the play and
staked amongst themselves upon the game. Immediately behind her stood
De Mouchy, in the ermine and red of his office, and ever and again a
whispered word passed between the twain.

There was a pile of gold before Vendome, who was playing recklessly but
with wonderful fortune. His face was flushed and his speech thick, for
the goblet on the small service-table at his elbow was ever being
filled, and emptied as fast as refilled. Nevertheless, he won each
time, though he seemed to fling his cards down on the table without a
look or thought.

"The gods are with me," he exclaimed loudly as he pulled off a _coup_,
made utterly by hazard, and drew the stakes towards him.

Diane laughed gaily, but the red fox Caraffa was a bad loser.

"Monseigneur," he said with a snarl, "there is a proverb about luck at
cards."

"I know," was the swift and unexpecte