session of his handsome face I gave way to the pettiest feeling
which can harbour in a man's breast. I looked at him with eyes of envy,
bitterly comparing my lot with that which fate had reserved for him. He
had fortune, good looks, and success on his side, great relations, and
high hopes; I stood in instant jeopardy, my future dark, and every path
which presented itself so hazardous that I knew not which to adopt. He
was young, and I past my prime; he in favour, and I a fugitive.

To such reflections he put an end in a way which made me blush for my
churlishness. For, suddenly awaking out, of his pleasant dream, he asked
me about myself and my fortunes, inquiring eagerly how I came to be in
St. Cloud, and listening to the story of my adventures with a generous
anxiety which endeared him to me more and more. When I had done--and by
that time Simon had joined us, and was waiting at the lower end of the
room--he pronounced that I must see the king.

'There is nothing else for it,' he said.

'I have come to see him,' I answered.

'Mon dieu, yes!' he continued, rising from his seat and looking at me
with a face of concern. 'No one else can help you.'

I nodded.

'Turenne has four thousand men here. You can do nothing against so
many?'

'Nothing,' I said. 'The question is, will the king protect me?'

'It is he or no one,' M. d'Agen answered warmly. 'You cannot see him
to-night: he has a Council. To-morrow at daybreak you may. You must lie
here to-night, and I will set my fellows to watch, and I think you will
be safe. I will away now and see if my uncle will help. Can you think of
anyone else who would speak for you?'

I considered, and was about to answer in the negative, when Simon, who
had listened with a scared face, suggested M. de Crillon.

'Yes, if he would,' M. d'Agen exclaimed, looking at the lad with
approbation. 'He has weight with the king.'

'I think he might,' I replied slowly. 'I had a curious encounter with
him last night. And with that I told M. d'Agen of the duel I fought at
the inn.

'Good!' he said, his eyes sparkling. 'I wish I had been there to see. At
any rate we will try him. Crillon fears no one, not even the king.'

So it was settled. For that night I was to keep close in my friend's
lodging, showing not even my nose at the window.

When he had gone on his errand, and I found myself alone in the room,
I am fain to confess that I fell very low in my spirits. M. d'Agen's
travelling eq