"A hundred; not more. I cannot weaken my force here, you know, Henri." "Less, if you like, brother." "No, I would wish to give you double. Only promise me, on your honor, that if you meet with more than three hundred men, you will retreat and not get killed." "My brother," said Henri, smiling, "you sell your glory very dear." "Then I will neither sell nor give it to you; and another officer shall command." "My brother, give your orders and I will execute them." "You will only engage with equal, double, or triple forces, but not with more?" "I swear it." "Very well; now, what men would you like to take?" "Let me take one hundred of the gendarmes of Aunis; I have plenty of friends there, and can choose whom I like." "That will do." "When shall I set out?" "At once. Take one day's rations for the men and two for the horses. Remember, I want speedy and certain news." "I go, brother; are there any other orders?" "Do not spread the news of the duke's death; let it be believed he is here. Exaggerate my strength, and if you find the duke's body, although he was a bad man and a poor general, yet, as he belonged to the royal house of France, have it put in an oak coffin and brought back by your men, that he may be buried at St. Denis." "Good, brother; now, is this all?" "All! but promise me once more, Henri, you are not deceiving me--you will not seek death?" "No, brother; I had that thought when I came to join you, but I have it no longer." "And when did it leave you?" "Three hours ago." "On what occasion?" "Excuse me, brother." "Of course, Henri, your secrets are your own." "Oh! how good you are, brother!" And the young men, once more embracing each other, separated with smiles. CHAPTER LXXII. THE EXPEDITION. Henri, full of joy, hastened to Diana and Romy. "Get ready; in a quarter of an hour we set out," said he. "You will find two horses saddled at the door of the little wooden staircase leading to this corridor: join my suite and say nothing." Then, going out on the balcony, he cried: "Trumpet of the gendarmes, sound the call." The call was quickly heard, and all the gendarmes ranged themselves round the house. "Gendarmes," said Henri, "my brother has given me, for the time, the command of your company, and has ordered me to set out to-night to obtain provisions and information as to the movements of the enemy, and one hundred of you are to accompany me; the mission is dangerous, but necessary for the safety of all. Who are willing to go?" The whole three hundred offered themselves. "Gentlemen," said Henri, "I thank you all; you have rightly been called the example to the army, but I can but take one hundred; and as I do not wish to choose, let chance decide. Monsieur," continued he, to the ensign, "draw lots, if you please." While this was being done, Joyeuse gave his last instructions to his brother.