"Jean de Nivelle has three flails; Three palfrays with long manes and tails; Three blades of a terrible brand, Which he never takes into his hand. _Ah! ouivraiment! Jean de Nivelle est bon enfant!_" The magnificence of their attire, the happy nonchalance and graceful ease of their manner, contrasted with his own tattered and humble uniform, fallen fortune, and jaded spirit, made Walter's heart sick as he entered; but, assuming somewhat of the old air of a cavalier officer, he bowed to the noble company, and awaited in silence the commands of the Mareschal. "Approach, Monsieur," said the handsome young Duc de Chartres. "Tête Dieu! but you look very pale! You were wounded I believe?" "It is nearly healed Monseigneur," "Ah, it is deuced unpleasant work this fighting and beleaguering." "De Chartres would rather be at Chantilly," said the Duc de Vendome, laughing. "Or at Versailles," said a Chevalier of St. Louis. "He is thinking of little Mariette Gondalaurier." "Or St. Denis and adorable Isabeau Lagrange." "Say Paris at once, Messieurs," said the boyish roué, smiling. "I have beauties everywhere." "The Scottish officer will drink with us--here, boy, assist our friend to wine," said Luxembourg to his page. "'Tis only Frontiniac, Monsieur; but an hour ago it was Dutch William's, and we drink it out of pure spite." Walter drank the fragrant wine from a massively embossed cup, and his head swam as he imbibed it, and waited to hear for what desperate duty these noble peers designed him. "Chevalier," said Luxembourg with his most bland smile, "it is pleasant to reward the brave. Aware that the repulse of the confederate cavalry on my right flank, and consequently the whole success of that glorious day at Steinkirke was mainly owing to the valour of the Scottish cavaliers animated by your example, King Louis sends you this." And taking from his own neck the sparkling cross of the recently created order of St. Louis, the Duke placed it around the neck of Walter Fenton, who bowed his thanks in silence. "Go, Chevalier--you are a gallant soldier! The Scots were ever brave, and the friends of France. Wear that cross with honour to the Most Christian King, to your native country--" "And to the most sublime Madame Maintenon," said the young Duke, and his gay companions laughed. "Monseigneur!" said Luxembourg warningly. "Tête Dieu, Mareschal! dost think I fear her? Faith Madame, 'tis known, never gives a favour without a most usurious per centage. She is quite a Jewess in the intrigues of love and politics, ha! ha!" "Attached to this cross, Chevalier, is a pension of four hundred livres yearly, which I doubt not will be acceptable in your present reduced circumstances." "Oh, believe me, Monseigneur le Mareschal, and you most noble Dukes, it is indeed most acceptable; for with it I may in some sort alleviate the miseries of those gallant gentlemen, my comrades, who share your fortunes in the field."