"Not at all, not at all," said Lenet. "I can imagine a world of meaning in the three words just uttered by Madame de Cambes." "Then that is all I require," said the viscountess; "Monsieur Lenet's approval means everything to me. I say again that Saint-Georges is as good as taken, if I may be allowed to say four words in private to Monsieur Lenet." "Madame," chimed in Madame de Tourville, "I too can take Saint-Georges, if I can have my way." "Let Madame de Tourville first set forth her plan so that we can all hear," said Lenet, checking the effort Madame de Cambes was making to lead him into a corner; "then you shall whisper yours to me." "Say on, madame," said the princess. "I would start at night with twenty boats carrying two hundred musketeers; another party, equal in number, would creep along the right bank; four or five hundred more would ascend the left bank; meanwhile ten or twelve hundred Bordelais--" "Bear in mind, madame," interposed La Rochefoucauld, "that you already have ten or twelve hundred men engaged." "I will take Saint-Georges with a single company," said Claire; "give me Navailles, and I will answer for the result." "'Tis worth considering," said the princess, while Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld, with his most contemptuous smile, gazed pityingly at these women who presumed to discuss military questions which embarrassed the boldest and most enterprising men. "I will listen to you now, madame," said Lenet. "Come this way." He led Claire to a window recess, where she whispered her secret in his ear. Lenet emitted a joyful exclamation. "Indeed, madame," said he, turning to the princess, "if you will give Madame de Cambes _carte blanche,_ Saint-Georges is ours." "When?" the princess demanded. "When you please." "Madame is a great captain!" sneered La Rochefoucauld. "You may judge for yourself, Monsieur le Duc," said Lenet, "when you enter Saint-Georges in triumph, without firing a single shot." "When that time comes I will approve." "If it's as certain as you say," said the princess, "let everything be prepared for to-morrow." "On such day and at such hour as your Highness pleases," said Claire. "I will await your commands in my apartment." With that she bowed and withdrew; the princess, who had passed in an instant from wrath to hope, did the same, followed by Madame de Tourville. Espagnet, having renewed his protestations, took his departure, and the duke was left alone with Lenet. VII. "My dear Monsieur Lenet," said the duke, "as the women seem to have taken charge of the war, I think it would be a good plan for the men to do a little intriguing. I have heard of a certain Captain Cauvignac, whom you commissioned to raise a company, and who is represented to me as an exceedingly clever sort of fellow. I sent for him; is there any way for me to see him?" "He is waiting, monseigneur," said Lenet. "Let him come in, then." Lenet pulled a bell-cord, and a servant appeared.