"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