and the Madeleine, and that Lalande would meet him beyond Carayrac to
receive him and to bring him hostages.




CHAPTER IV

On the 15th May Cavalier set out from Tarnac at the head of one hundred
and sixty foot-soldiers and fifty horse; he was accompanied by his young
brother and by d'Aygaliers and Lacombe. They all passed the night at
Langlade.

The next day they set out for Nimes, and, as had been agreed upon, were
met by Lalande between Saint-Cesaire and Carayrac. Lalande advanced to
greet Cavalier and present the hostages to him. These hostages were M. de
La Duretiere, captain of the Fimarcon regiment, a captain of infantry,
several other officers, and ten dragoons. Cavalier passed them over to
his lieutenant, Ravanel, who was in command of the infantry, and left
them in his charge at Saint-Cesaire. The cavalry accompanied him to
within a musket-shot of Nimes, and encamped upon the heights. Besides
this, Cavalier posted sentinels and mounted orderlies at all the
approaches to the camp, and even as far off as the fountain of Diana and
the tennis-court. These precautions taken, he entered the city,
accompanied by his brother, d'Aygaliers, Lacombe, and a body-guard of
eighteen cavalry, commanded by Catinat. Lalande rode on before to
announce their arrival to the marechal, whom he found waiting with MM. de
Baville and Sandricourt, in the garden of the Recollets, dreading every
moment to receive word that Cavalier had refused to come; for he expected
great results from this interview. Lalande, however, reassured him by