"Oh, you would soon forget such things, my good friend," said I. "But, dear La Tour, here is a poor girl who wants not a little comfort and consolation; so I will leave her with you for one hour, to tell her own story and mine too, and go and repeat my proceedings to the Prince de Condé."
"Ay, you must do so quickly," replied the old man: "for I hear he sets out for Niort either this night or early to-morrow morning. But I will take care of this dear child till you come back, and--see, here comes Marguelette to welcome her mistress."
While Marguelette was literally shrieking with joy and surprise, I gave orders to Moric Endem to lodge the men, and to entertain the horse arquebusiers who had been our companions, at my expense, and then, with a boy to guide me, and one of my troop, carrying the cornet we had taken, behind me, I hurried on with all speed to an old sort of chateau, called the manoir, where the prince had taken up his quarters. There were people hurrying about the place, preparing, it seemed, for departure; but, on my being admitted, I found him sitting calmly with De Luze, who had joined him, and given the news of my return before my appearance, together with the famous Montgomery, better known for accidentally killing Henry II., king of France, than for all the bold, gallant, and chivalrous actions he performed, and one or two other gentlemen, all of whom looked as merry as might be.
"You left us laughing as heartily as we could, Monsieur de Cerons," said the prince, "over the affair of the valets and the baggage-wagons, and your most excellent and successful stratagem. One of Monsieur de Coligny's band took an officer attached to the Duke of Anjou, and from him we have learned that the sight of that third camp, and a skirmish which took place in front of it towards morning, was the absolute cause of the enemy decamping in such haste. But how have you fared since you went! We have taken care of you, you see, in your absence."
"Why, I have fared extremely well, sir," I replied; "and have brought you a cornet which we took, and which some one says is Martigue's."
"Oh, it cannot be Martigue's," cried the Prince de Condé. "He would have charged to regain it if it had cost him his life."
"But it was not taken in the pursuit," I said: "it was taken last night. I determined to give them an alerte on their right wing, and was in their camp for some minutes."
"Are you mad, De Cerons?" exclaimed the Prince de Condé. "Why, gentlemen, I thought I was the maddest man in the army, and this good youth is determined to outdo me, it seems. Give them an alerte, too, with less than a hundred and fifty men! Pray how many did you bring back?"
"Every one I took, your highness," I replied, "and but with one slight wound among them. It seems lucky that I have brought back Martigue's cornet, or I should not get credit for my tale, however simple it might be."
"Oh, you have full credit," replied the Prince de Condé; "and I was proposing now, as the only reward that could be given you for your service three nights ago, to arm you a knight at once; but Montgomery asked me to stop a day or two."