he parental resistance--that breastwork upon which
Chatellerault had so confidently depended.

As the rebel Rene de Lesperon I was sheltered at Lavedan and made
welcome by my fellow-rebel the Vicomte, who already seemed much taken
with me, and who had esteemed me before seeing me from the much that
Monsieur de Marsac--whoever he might be--had told him of me. As Rene de
Lesperon I must remain, and turn to best account my sojourn, praying God
meanwhile that this same Monsieur de Marsac might be pleased to refrain
from visiting Lavedan whilst I was there.

CHAPTER VI. IN CONVALESCENCE

Of the week that followed my coming to Lavedan I find some difficulty
in writing. It was for me a time very crowded with events--events that
appeared to be moulding my character anew and making of me a person
different, indeed, from that Marcel de Bardelys whom in Paris they
called the Magnificent. Yet these events, although significant in their
total, were of so vague and slight a nature in their detail, that when I
come to write of them I find really little that I may set down.

Rodenard and his companions remained for two days at the chateau, and to
me his sojourn there was a source of perpetual anxiety, for I knew not
how far the fool might see fit to prolong it. It was well for me that
this anxiety of mine was shared by Monsieur de Lavedan, who disliked at
such a time the presence of men attached to one who was so notoriously
of the King's party. He came at last to consult me as to what measures
might be taken to remove them, and I--nothing loath to conspire with him
to so desirable end--bade him suggest to Rodenard that perhaps evil had
befallen Monsieur de Bardelys, and that, instead of wasting his time
at Lavedan, he were better advised to be searching the province for his
master.

This counsel the Vicomte adopted, and with such excellent results that
that very day--within the hour, in fact--Ganymede, aroused to a sense
of his proper duty, set out in quest of me, not a little disturbed in
mind--for with all his shortcomings the rascal loved me very faithfully.

That was on the third day of my sojourn at Lavedan. On the morrow I
rose, my foot being sufficiently recovered to permit it. I felt a little
weak from loss of blood, but Anatole--who, for all his evil countenance,
was a kindly and gentle--servant was confident that a few days--a week
at most--would see me completely restored.

Of leaving Lavedan I said nothing.