"Yes! He has come."
As De Mouchy spoke the crowd parted, and the Vidame appeared, and bowed before Diane.
"It was impossible to come sooner, madame; I had a little affair, and it was necessary to change my attire."
"A successful affair, I trust, Monsieur le Vidame."
Simon was about to answer, but a high-pitched voice broke in: "More successful than even the Vidame's great feat of arms in the forest of Fontevrault." And Le Brusquet made his way through the press, and stood behind the prince's chair.
Diane rose from her seat, and Simon glared at Le Brusquet, whilst a dozen voices called out:
"What was that, Le Brusquet? We have not heard."
"That is owing to Monsieur le Vidame's modesty; but this feat eclipses all the others of which he is the hero. This evening the Vidame broke up the heretic church in the Mathurins; nearly all the accursed brood were slain, women as well as men; but there are still enough prisoners to give us a rare bonfire by Saturday. Is it not so, monsieur?" And Le Brusquet turned to the Vidame.
"Is this true, Le Brusquet?" It was Vendôme who asked. He too had risen, and his voice was trembling with anger.
"Assuredly, Monseigneur! Ask the Vidame! It was a great stroke. Amongst others they have taken La Mothe the Christaudin——" He stopped, for the prince broke in furiously upon his speech.