that the conference was at an end, entered the garden with his men.
Thereupon M. de Villars took leave, saying distinctly, "Adieu, Seigneur
Cavalier," and withdrew, leaving the young chief surrounded by a dozen
persons all wanting to speak to him at once. For half an hour he was
detained by questions, to all of which he replied pleasantly. On one
finger was an emerald taken from a naval officer named Didier, whom he
had killed with his own hand in the action at Devois de Martignargues; he
kept time by a superb watch which had belonged to M. d'Acqueville, the
second in command of the marines; and he offered his questioners from
time to time perfumed snuff from a magnificent snuffbox, which he had
found in the holsters when he took possession of M. de La Jonquiere's
horse. He told everyone who wished to listen that he had never intended
to revolt against the king; and that he was now ready to shed the last
drop of his blood in his service; that he had several times offered to
surrender on condition that liberty of conscience was granted to those of
the new faith, but that M. de Montrevel had always rejected his offers,
so that he had been obliged to remain under arms, in order to deliver
those who were in prison, and to gain permission for those who were free
to worship God in their own way.

He said these things in an unembarrassed and graceful manner, hat in
hand; then passing through the crowd which had gathered outside the
garden of the Recollets, he repaired to the Hotel de la Poste for lunch,
and afterwards walked along the Esplanade to the house of one Guy
Billard, a gardener, who was his head prophet's father. As he thus moved
about he was preceded by two Camisards with drawn swords, who made way
for him; and several ladies were presented to him who were happy to touch
his doublet. The visit over, he once again passed along the Esplanade,
still preceded by his two Camisards, and just as he passed the Little
Convent he and those with him struck up a psalm tune, and continued