"You must seek lodgings in the little town, Pierrot," said Lord Montagu's page. "Get the best you can,--though bad, I fancy, will be the best,--and make some arrangement for obtaining food. We must have something to eat,--though the poor folks in Rochelle are worse off than we, it would seem." "It is a small place, Mauzé, sir, and quite full of soldiery," said Pierrot. "But I will do my best, and get something at all events; for I know some of the people here, who, I think, would kill a hog for me, if we can do no better. But I am afraid quarters will be worse to find than rations." "We must seek for both," answered Edward, "and something for the horses too." He was turning toward the gates again, to ride down the slope into the little town, or rather village,--for it was no better then,--when a man dressed in a dark suit and bearing somewhat the appearance of a servant came down the steps and approached the young gentleman's horse. "His Eminence the Cardinal de Richelieu," he said, in a low, sweet voice, "has commanded me to tell Monsieur de Langdale that he will see him as soon as the business of the day is over,--about nine o'clock to-night. In the mean time, I will show Monsieur de Langdale a chamber,--somewhat high up, it is true; but the castle is very full. Monsieur de Langdale will take his meals with the officers of the cardinal's guard. His servants must provide for themselves in the village, as we have no room. The cardinal allows them a crown a day as livery." Edward dismounted and followed him to a chamber convenient enough, though very near the top of the main tower; and, knowing the policy of saying as little as possible in such places, he only asked if at nine o'clock he should present himself before the cardinal, or if his Eminence would summon him. "He did not say," replied the man. "But monsieur had better go to the ante-chamber at that hour and speak with the almoner, whom he will find there." Thus saying, he left him, seemingly as much indisposed to say a word more than was necessary as Edward could be himself.