The Unknown Cavalier


My father had already accepted the Admiral's kind offer, so, after a few
days of idleness, I began my new duties, meeting with a genial reception
from my future comrades, several of whom were but a little older than
myself.

Every day now some fresh note of alarm sounded. The king withdrew the
privileges he had granted to those of the Religion, and from several
quarters we learned that civil war in all but the name had broken out
afresh. It was said, too, that the king had given command of the royal
army to his brother, the Duke of Anjou, with orders to exterminate us,
root and branch.

"Anjou!" laughed my comrade, "why, he is only a boy! He should be doing
his lessons. Has the king provided him with a nurse?"

"Yes," I replied, "he will find Marshal Tavannes a very capable nurse."

"Oh, that is the way of it, eh? Faith, 'tis a good plan, for, see you,
Edmond, if there be any glory 'twill go to Anjou, while Tavannes can
take the discredit. A capital arrangement--that is, from Monseigneur's
point of view!"

Meanwhile numbers of Huguenot gentlemen with their retainers were
arriving at Rochelle, and our leaders were soon able to muster a
respectable little army.

"Anjou must make haste if he wishes to cover himself with glory," said