"I shall probably do that," said Roger, glancing at my sister, "even
without the hard riding."

"Then you are a caitiff knight and no true soldier," I broke in hastily,
for Jeanne was blushing furiously, and my comrade's face had lost its
merriment; "but, really, things are becoming serious; more than a score
of men have died to-day!"

"Poor fellows!" said my mother tenderly; "if those who force us into
these cruel wars could only realize the misery they cause!"

"I fear, madame," remarked Roger, "that the suffering troubles them
little, as long as they can gain their ends."

About a week after this conversation there were signs that our long
inactivity was drawing to a close. The weather became far milder; the
ice began to thaw, and it was possible for the soldiers to pass the
nights in some degree of comfort. Orders were issued to the various
leaders, carts were collected and filled with stores, bodies of troops
marched out from the city, and preparations for the campaign were
actively pushed forward.

"I really believe," said Felix one morning, "that we are about to move.
Condé has issued instructions for all his followers to hold themselves
in readiness, and a body of infantry left Rochelle an hour ago."

We were on duty in the Admiral's ante-chamber, and my comrade had just
finished speaking when our leader, attended as usual by the Sieur de
Guerchy, ascended the staircase. He glanced round at us with his kindly