"Pardieu! messieurs," said the governor of Braunes, "there's no denying that, although he's a churchman, Monsieur de Mazarin has a keen eye for fighting-men, and has been managing matters well in that direction for some time. He scents war, and selects for governors, Canolles here, and Richon at Vayres."
"Is there to be fighting?" inquired Richon, carelessly.
"Is there to be fighting!" rejoined a young man fresh from the court. "You ask if there is to be fighting, Monsieur Richon?"
"Yes."
"Well! I ask you what condition your bastions are in?"
"They are almost new, monsieur; for in the three days I have been at the fort I have done more repairing and renovating than had been done in three years."
"Good! it won't be long before they will be tested," rejoined the young man.
"So much the better," said Richon. "What do fighting-men long for? War."
"The king can sleep soundly now," said Canolles, "for he holds the Bordelais in check by means of the two rivers."
"The person who put me where I am can count upon my devotion," said Richon.