But upon their arrival they were at once lodged in prison. There they were to remain, so they were informed, until the affray was at an end, and there was no longer any danger to be apprehended in allowing them access to the king. CHAPTER XXVI THE FOREST OF CHÂTEAU-REGNAULT The forest of Château-Régnault was fortunately only about a league and a half distant from Noizai. Gabriel urged his horse thither at a gallop; but after he had reached the spot, he rode about in every direction for more than an hour without falling in with any party, either of friends or foes. At last he thought he distinguished the regular gallop of cavalry beyond a bend in the path he was pursuing; but they could not be Huguenots, for they were laughing and talking, while the Huguenots were too vitally concerned to conceal their movements not to preserve most complete silence. "No matter!" thought Gabriel; and he hurried on, and soon came upon the red scarfs of the king's troops. As he made his way toward their leader he recognized him, and was recognized by him. It was Baron de Pardaillan,--a gallant young officer who had made the Italian campaign with him under Monsieur de Guise. "Ah, it is the Comte de Montgommery!" cried Pardaillan. "I thought you were at Noizai, Count." "I have just come from there," said Gabriel. "Well, what has occurred there?--ride by my side awhile and tell me." Gabriel told the story of the sudden arrival of the Duc de Nemours, of his carrying the terrace and the drawbridge, of his own mediation between the parties, and the peaceful submission which had been its happy result. "_Pardieu_!" exclaimed Pardaillan; "Monsieur de Nemours was in luck, and I should be glad to be equally fortunate myself. Do you know, Monsieur de Montgommery, against whom my own movements are directed at this moment?" "La Renaudie, doubtless." "Precisely. And do you know what La Renaudie is to me?" "Why, your cousin, I believe,--yes, I remember." "Yes, he is my cousin," Pardaillan said; "and more than that, he is my friend and my comrade-in-arms. Ah, do you know how bitter a thing it is to fight against one who has so often fought at one's side?" "Yes, indeed," replied Gabriel; "but you are not sure of meeting him, are you?" "Alas! I am only too sure!" returned Pardaillan. "My instructions are exact; and the reports of those who have betrayed him are only too accurate. See! after marching another fifteen minutes I shall find myself face to face with La Renaudie in the second path to the left." "But suppose you were to avoid that path?" whispered Gabriel.