De Quelus smiled. "You desire very little for a gentleman, and one who can handle a sword so well." "I know that, but I do not bring any letters, and I am not one who could expect the favor of a court appointment. I am a Huguenot." "A Huguenot?" said De Quelus. "And yet you come to Paris?" "I prefer to serve the King of France. He is at present on good terms with the Huguenots, is he not?" "Yes,--at least, he is not at war with them. Well, gentlemen like you are not to be wasted, even though Huguenots. Attach yourself to Duret's company of the guards for the present, and who knows when you may win a vacant captaincy? I will bring you to the attention of the King. Can you be, to-morrow at eleven o'clock, at the principal gate of the Louvre?" "Yes, monsieur." "Very well. I will speak to Captain Duret, also, about you." He looked at my active figure, neither tall nor short, neither broad nor too thin, observed the length of my arm, and remembered that I had made so respectable a showing with the sword against Bussy, I could see that he was thinking, "It is well to have in one's debt as many such strong and honest young gentlemen as can be had. Even a Huguenot may be useful in these days." Then, when so many leaders contended, every man was desirous of gaining partisans. At court, wise people were scrupulous to repay obligations, in the hope of securing future benefit. I divined De Quelus's motives, but was none the less willing to profit by them as to the possible vacant captaincy. "Then I thank you, monsieur, and will keep the appointment," I said. "You are alone," said De Quelus. "One does not know when one may have one's throat cut for a sou, after dark in the streets of Paris. Will you accept the escort of two of my servants? They are waiting for me in the next street. One does not, you know, let one's servants wait too near windows out of which one expects to drop," he added with a smile. "I thank you, monsieur, but I have already fared so well alone to-night, that I should fear to change my fortune by taking attendants." "Then good night, monsieur. No, thank you. I can sheathe my own sword. My arm has lost its numbness. _Parbleu_, I should like to meet Bussy d'Amboise now." And he strode away, leaving me standing by the cross. I hesitated between returning to the inn, and resuming my exploration of the streets. I decided to go back, lest I be shut out for the night.