ny men kept a strict watch no
suspicious-looking stranger was seen to visit him.

Meanwhile the prospects of those of the Religion began to brighten: the
king was apparently throwing off the influence of his mother and
brother; it was reported that he relied more and more on the advice of
Coligny, and in spite of the Pope and the Guises, he was still
stubbornly bent on marrying his sister to Henry of Bearn.

The Queen of Navarre was at Blois, and Jeanne wrote me a long account of
the balls and festivities Charles had arranged. I do not suppose they
appealed strongly to Queen Joan, who had little taste for such worldly
matters, but the music, the dance, and the joyous merriment were quite
to the liking of the younger ladies in her train.

"The king has persuaded my dear mistress to consent to the marriage,"
Jeanne wrote, "and it is settled that we are to go from here to Paris.
Felix has just left for Touraine. He is a dear, good fellow, and has
been very kind. He says it is stupid for you to stay at Le Blanc. The
king is so full of the marriage and of affairs of State that he will not
attend to any less important business. Felix declares that if Prince
Henry comes to Paris you must come too, and push your claims. It is
certain that the prince's marriage will stop all further persecution of
the Huguenots, and it is that which caused my mistress to give her
consent. Felix told me yesterday that the Guises are very angry with the
king, and have gone away. From all I hear, I really believe he would be
pleased if they never came back."

I read portions of my sister's letter to Jacques, but when I remarked
that our troubles were nearly at an end, he shook his head, saying,
"Those who live will see, monsieur."

CHAPTER XXII

L'Estang Tells His Story

Spring had ripened into summer, and I was still at Le Blanc, not having
heard from my patron, and being unwilling to depart without his orders.
Cordel had gone to Paris, and, for the time at least, had abandoned his
schemes.

One day, about the third week in June, I had just returned from a
morning gallop when Jacques met me in the courtyard with the news that
Ambroise Devine had brought me a packet from Monsieur Bellievre.

I had almost forgotten the man, never having seen him since the morning
when I started on the memorable journey to Tanlay.

"It is along while since we met," I said, greeting him. "My father told
me you recovered from your wounds, and I expe