royal army is already marching from Paris. But monsieur is hungry?"

"Hungry and thirsty both," I replied. "What is that?" for the sounds of
angry voices came from the outside.

"It is nothing, monsieur; some one has drawn a knife, perhaps, and there
is a little fighting, but that is all. One does not regard these
things," and he hurried off to prepare my meal.

After leaving Poictiers, I avoided the towns as much as possible, though
travelling in the country districts was nearly as hazardous. The
peasants having no work, and being without food, had formed themselves
into robber bands, and more than once I owed my safety to the fleetness
of my horse.

However, on the evening of the second day, I reached Rochelle, just as
the gates were being closed. The streets were filled with citizens and
Huguenot soldiers, and it was apparent that the illustrious fugitives
had arrived safely at their stronghold.

Being a stranger to the city I rode slowly along the street, noting the
houses, and scanning the people closely, on the chance of discovering a
familiar face. In all my solitary wanderings I had not felt as lonely as
I did now, amidst a seething crowd of my fellow-creatures.

The first thing, of course, was to find my father, but on coming to the
_Hôtel Coligny_, I resolved to dismount and to seek out Felix Bellièvre.
Fortunately, he was within, and I received a hearty welcome, which
caused me to feel once more as if I belonged to the world of human
beings.