n I knocked. Not a lackey hurried to
receive me even then; but the slipshod tread of the old porter, as he
came with a lantern to open, alone broke the silence. I waited eagerly
wondering what all this could mean; and when the man at last opened,
and, recognising my face, begged my pardon if he had kept me waiting I
asked him impatiently what was the matter.

'And where is the Marquis?' I added, stepping inside to be out of the
wind, and loosening my cloak.

'Have you not heard, sir?' the man asked, holding up his lantern to my
face. He was an old, wizened, lean fellow. 'It is a break-up, sir, I am
afraid, this time.'

'A break-up?' I rejoined, peevishly. 'Speak out, man! What is the
matter? I hate mysteries.'

You have not heard the news, sir? That the Duke of Mercoeur and Marshal
Retz, with all their people, left Blois this afternoon?'

'No?' I answered, somewhat startled. 'Whither are they gone?'

'To Paris, it is said, sir,--to join the League.'

'But do you mean that they have deserted the king?' I asked.

'For certain, sir!' he answered.

'Not the Duke of Mercoeur?' I exclaimed. 'Why, man, he is the king's
brother-in-law. He owes everything to him.'

'Well, he is gone, sir,' the old man answered positively. 'The news was
brought to M. le Marquis about four o'clock, or a little after. He got
his people together, and started after them to try and persuade them to
return. Or, so it is said.'

As quickly as I could, I reviewed the situation in my mind. If this
strange news were true, and men like Mercoeur, who had every reason to
stand by the king, as well as men like Retz, who had long been suspected
of disaffection, were abandoning the Court, the danger must be coming
close indeed. The king must feel his throne already tottering, and be
eager to grasp at any means of supporting it. Under such circumstances
it seemed to be my paramount duty to reach him; to gain his ear if
possible, and at all risks; that I and not Bruhl, Navarre not Turenne,
might profit by the first impulse of self-preservation.

Bidding the porter shut his door and keep close, I hurried to the
Castle, and was presently more than confirmed in my resolution. For
to my surprise I found the Court in much the same state as M. de
Rambouillet's house. There were double guards indeed at the gates, who
let me pass after scrutinising me narrowly; but the courtyard, which
should have been at this hour ablaze with torches and crowded with
lacke