Early on the morning fixed for my departure I wished my mother and sister good-bye, and returned to the hotel. Coligny was still at Saintes, and I waited for a letter that the commandant had requested me to deliver to him. I had gone into the courtyard to see about my horse when a man, riding in, exclaimed, "Oh, I am in time, monsieur; I feared you had gone."
"Jacques!" I cried with delight, "surely you have taken a long while to travel from Montcontour to Rochelle! And yet you have a good beast!"
"As good an animal as ever carried saddle!" said Jacques, eyeing his horse complacently; "but then I have not owned it long."
"Have you been to the house?"
"Yes, monsieur," and his face became grave, "it was madame who told me where to find you. She said you were about to rejoin the army."
He did not speak of my loss, though it was plain he had heard the news, and indeed several days passed before the subject was mentioned between us. Jacques had been brought up in my father's service, and he was unwilling to talk about the death of his loved master.
"Yes, I am going to join the Admiral," I said; "but have you not had enough of adventures? Would you not rather stay at Rochelle?"
"While monsieur is wandering about the country?" he asked. "Ah," as a servant came from the building, "here is a summons for monsieur!"
The commandant had finished his letter, and having received his instructions I returned to the courtyard, mounted my horse, and, followed by Jacques, started on my journey. I was very glad of his company, since it took me out of myself, and gave me less opportunity for brooding.
"Did Monsieur Bellièvre and the Englishman escape from Montcontour?" he asked, as we reached the open country.