"You will come over to us yet," I said. "A week ago you were hand in glove with De Retz; now you are Conde's friends. Next week----" "That is too far off to consider," laughed Armand. "Next week? Why there are several days before that time arrives! Your mind flies too fast, my boy. I have yet to hear what led to such a hubbub this evening!" "A mere trifle," remarked Raoul; "Madame Coutance behaved foolishly. The Abbe's mob ordered her to cry 'Down with Conde!' and she told them they weren't fit to be his doormat." "She has plenty of pluck!" "It is a pity she hasn't a little more common-sense. To-night she might have set all Paris by the ears through her want of thought. Mazarin was right in declaring she is like a child playing with fire." "By the way," asked Raoul, "who was the soldier fighting for us? By his uniform he should be one of the Queen's Guards." "He does belong to them. He is an Englishman named Humphreys, and a right good fellow." "A fine swordsman! It was wonderful how he cleared a space; the people were afraid to be anywhere near him." "I must introduce him at the first opportunity. You are sure to like him." "Not as an opponent," laughed Raoul; "and he doesn't seem likely to be anything else at present. Well, we turn off here; I shall see you at the end of the week." "Meanwhile keep your eyes open!" D'Arcy advised, as they proceeded towards the Luxembourg, while I, crossing the Pont Neuf, turned down by the Quai. I had at the time a great deal to think of. Being young and strong, I cared little for the threatened danger, but my stock of money was running low, and I foresaw that, unless something unexpected happened, I should be stranded before long for want of funds. Thus far, I thought bitterly, my search for fortune had not met with much success. Twice I had been within an ace of death, and my body still bore the marks of several wounds. Mazarin, to whose service I was pledged, had been banished, and I could find another patron only among his enemies. Completely wrapped up in these thoughts, I wandered along the dirty quay, and turning mechanically in the proper direction, reached the Rue des Catonnes. The next day I increased my stock of ready money by the sale of my horse, which enabled me to carry on again for a time, and I hoped that before the supply was exhausted a fresh turn of fortune's wheel would relieve my difficulties. Raoul, of course, would have lent me his purse freely, but that I did not wish. During the evening my English friend came across from the Palais Royal for a chat about the adventure of the previous night. Like Raoul, he blamed Madame Coutance for her stupid behaviour, speaking his mind freely, and not stopping to choose his words. "Did you return with your comrades?" I asked.