or."

"I like that ballade of yours on 'Henri at Cahors.' It has the true
martial ring to it that captivates the soldier."

"Thanks, Monsieur; from a man like you such praise is poisonously
sweet. Can you direct me to the Hotel de Perigny? I must see the
Chevalier to-night."

"I will myself show you the way," said Du Puys, standing. "But wait a
while. The Chevalier usually spends the evening here."

"Drinking?"

"Drinking and dicing."

Victor rose just as a small uproar occurred in the hallway. The door
opened and a dozen cavaliers and officers came crowding in. All made
for the fire, stamping and jostling and laughing. The leader, his eyes
bloodshot and the lower lids puffed and discolored, threw his hat to
the ceiling and caught it on his boot.

"Maitre--ho!" he cried. "Bring us the bowl, the merry bowl, the jolly
and hot bowl. The devil himself must hunt for cheer to-night. How it
blows!"

"In the private assembly, Messieurs," said the host caressingly; "in
the private assembly. All is ready but the hot water." And
respectfully, though determinedly, as one would guide a flock of sheep,
he turned the roisterers toward the door that led into the private
assembly-room. He had just learned that the Jesuits had arrived and
that there was no room for them at the episcopal palace, and that they
were on their way to the Corne d'Abondance. He did not desire them to
form a poor opinion as to the moral character of the establishment. He
knew the temper of these wild bloods; they were safer by themselves.

All the arrivals passed noisily into the private assembly: all save the
leader, who was seen suddenly to steady himself after the manner of a
drunken man trying to recover his dignity.

"Victor?" he cried in dismay.

"Paul?" frankly joyous.

In a moment they had embraced and were holding each other off at arm's
length.

CHAPTER VI

AN ACHATES FOR AN AENEAS

"What are you doing here?" demanded the Chevalier roughly.

"Paul," sadly, "you are drunk."

"So I am," moodily. "How long ago since I was sober? Bah! every pore
in my body is a voice that calls loudly for wine. Drunk? My faith,
yes! You make me laugh, Victor. When was I ever sober? As a boy I
used to fall asleep in the cellars of the chateau. But you . . . What
are you doing here in Rochelle?"

"I am here to command your immediate return to Paris."

"Paris? Body of Bacchus! but it is fine gratitude on your part to