Grasping my hand, which lay outside the coverlet, he pressed it gently, and, kneeling down, gave thanks to God for this first step in my recovery. "Amen to that," said I. "And now, my dear Raoul, tell me the news. Remember that I am ignorant of everything." "First let me hear you say that you forgive me." "Forgive you, old comrade? _Peste!_ there is nothing to forgive. Is it your fault that I am the less skilful hand with the sword?" "That is nonsense," he replied slowly. "You could have killed me, but you refused to strike." "Friendship stayed my arm in time." "But not mine!" "Then after all I am the more skilful swordsman!" "I nearly killed you," he said, and his lip quivered. "But not quite. Let us forget all about it." From that morning I began to regain strength, and could soon converse with Raoul without fatigue. From him I learned that the safety of the troopers was due to Marie, who, leaving the carriage, and running to the scene of the fight, had called upon the Frondeurs to sheathe their swords. "Two of your men were wounded, though not seriously," said Raoul; "young D'Arcy received a nasty cut; Maubranne was picked up insensible, and Peleton will not forget you for some time." "But for him and Maubranne, there need not have been a fight." "They have a spite against you, and will make mischief if they can." "Never mind them. What became of the escort?" "The wounded men were taken to the inn; the others returned to Paris. Madame Coutance insisted on your being brought to Aunay, and here you have remained ever since." "Then really," I said, when Raoul gave me this information, "you have all done your best to fulfil Mazarin's orders!" "It was a mistake. We believed the ladies were to be imprisoned at Reuil, and, besides, it was possible that Madame Coutance had possession of a valuable document." "You should have searched the Palais Royal for that," I remarked with a laugh. "You have spoiled our scheme for a time. Your cousin did the Fronde an ill turn when he advised you to go to Paris; you have proved a thorn in our side from the very first day." I asked after D'Arcy, and found that he had returned with his friends to the capital, where new and startling plots were being hatched. "Without a doubt we shall crush the Cardinal this time," exclaimed my comrade, whose good spirits revived with my increasing strength. "He will miss his trusty henchman, and there is really no one of importance on his side." "Then De Retz has not received his red hat?" "No! Mazarin played him a fine trick over that, and set all Paris laughing for weeks. The little abbe is desperately angry, and intends taking ample vengeance." "How Marie's aunt must wish she were back in the Rue Crillon!"