'I have done nothing--and the repayment was too much.' 'I am sorry you think so,' looking straight between her horse's ears. 'I did not mean that--I have already said I can never requite your kindness, and if Madame ever needs a stout arm and a good sword, it is my hope she will call on that of Auriac.' 'Perhaps I may--some day,' she answered, 'for the blood of my fathers runs strong in me, but I think Maitre Palin here will tell you that I am wrong, and that the sword is accursed.' 'Unless it be drawn in the service of God, madame,' put in the Huguenot gravely. '_Mon pere_ Palin has been a man-at-arms in his day,' said Madame, 'and has fought at Jarnac and Moncontour. He is therefore of the church militant, as you see.' 'I am proud to meet so brave a soldier as I doubt not you were, Maitre Palin. We took different sides; but all that is passed now, and Huguenot and Leaguer are merged in the common name of Frenchman.' 'Long live the King!' said Madame gaily; but Palin answered sadly: 'Would it were so. But to my eyes there are still dark clouds ahead. We have no longer Henry of Navarre, but Henry of France; no longer a prince of the true faith, but a pervert.' 'His Majesty will be delighted to hear that,' put in d'Ayen; but Madame took no more notice of him than of a fly. 'Hush! _mon pere_,' and she raised a warning hand, 'I will have no word against the King. M. le Chevalier is right, we are all one again, as France should ever be.' 'Amen!' answered Palin; 'but too much blood has been shed for this compromise to be accepted. The way is dark--but I will say no more,' and the old croaker dropped a half length behind. A turn in the avenue at this moment brought us in full view of the grey walls of Bidache, and on the wide stone staircase that led to the great hall we saw the servants of the household assembled. Madame waved her hand in greeting, and the cheer which broke from them was drowned in the boom of the bombard from the keep. As the blue wreaths of smoke curled upwards a little ball ran to the top of the flagstaff on the keep, and the next moment the banner of Tremouille, with the arms of Rochemars of Bidache quartered thereon, spread out its folds to the morning, and Madame was come home once more.