"Yes, Louis, I would give you proudly to the cause of France," continued
Madeleine, feigning a patriotism she scarcely felt. "But, thanks be
to God, I am not called on now to claim an honor that is at best a
sacrifice and a calamity."

"But, mother, the war is declared, and I am to be a soldier in a sacred
cause."

"How!" cried Madeleine excitedly. "Are the followers of the Black
Prince again attacking us? The Turks seeking revenge for the defeat
of Lepanto? or Christian Spain still intoxicated with its own dream
of ambition? Whence come the sound of arms, Louis, to fire thy young
ambition? If I judge rightly, thy disposition leads thee more to
the cloister than to the battle-field."

"'Tis so," replied Louis, who had adroitly brought the conversation
to the subject that occupied his thoughts, and to the announcement
that would ring with such thrill on his mother's ears. "And I am
going to join a religious community immediately, to become a soldier
in the great war of right against wrong--of this world against the
next. To this war the trumpet-calls of grace have summoned me, and
I come to ask the mother who would give me to the cause of my country
to do the same for Almighty God."

A step was heard outside. Louis glided into the garden, and Madeleine
was again found by her husband buried in tears.