"but it is hardly likely. That is
the mistake Monseigneur made after Jarnac."

"Well," replied Jacques with a smile, "it cannot interest monsieur very
much for the next three or four weeks."

He had quite recovered from his own wounds, and was full of praise of
the Count St. Cyr, who had treated him with the greatest kindness.

"The count is a noble gentleman," he remarked, "and full of zeal for the
Cause. He is bringing his retainers to aid the Admiral."

"He is an old man, too," I said musingly.

"But with all the fire of a boy, monsieur."

"Have you heard that a price has been set on my father's head?" I asked
presently.

"Yes," and the worthy fellow's face clouded over with passion, "that is
Etienne Cordel's handiwork."

"But we have done the man no harm!"

"He hates your father, monsieur; and, besides, Le Blanc is a fine
property. Monseigneur and the Italian woman are deeply in his debt, and
that would be a simple mode of payment. 'Tis easy to give away what does
not belong to one. Many Huguenot estates have changed hands in that
way."

I thought Jacques was exaggerating the case, but not caring to argue the
matter I said no more, and turning round dropped off into a refreshing
sleep.

For a fortnight longer I lay in bed, and then the surgeon, who came
every day, allowed me to get up. My head was still dizzy, and my legs
tottered under me, but, leaning on Jacques' arm, I walked slowly up and
down the room. The next morning, still attended by my faithful servant,
I went downstairs and out into the street, and from that day I fast
began to recover my strength.

There was not much news of the war, beyond the fact that the Huguenots
were besieging Poictiers, a piece of information that I was sorry to
hear, since it seemed to me they would fritter away their strength for
nothing. The Admiral, however, doubtless possessed good reasons for his
actions, and in any case it was not for me to question his wisdom.

I was able now to walk without assistance, and even to sit in the
saddle, though not very firmly, and I felt eager to rejoin my comrades.
But to this neither Jacques nor the surgeon would consent, so I
continued to while away the time in the quaint old town as patiently as
possible. But, as the weeks passed and my strength returned more fully,
life in Limoges became more and more insupportable, and I finally
resolved to travel by easy stages to Poictiers.

The news we gathered on the journey was b