"Poor fellows!" said my mother tenderly; "if those who force us into these cruel wars could only realize the misery they cause!"
"I fear, madame," remarked Roger, "that the suffering troubles them little, as long as they can gain their ends."
About a week after this conversation there were signs that our long inactivity was drawing to a close. The weather became far milder; the ice began to thaw, and it was possible for the soldiers to pass the nights in some degree of comfort. Orders were issued to the various leaders, carts were collected and filled with stores, bodies of troops marched out from the city, and preparations for the campaign were actively pushed forward.
"I really believe," said Felix one morning, "that we are about to move. Condé has issued instructions for all his followers to hold themselves in readiness, and a body of infantry left Rochelle an hour ago."
We were on duty in the Admiral's ante-chamber, and my comrade had just finished speaking when our leader, attended as usual by the Sieur de Guerchy, ascended the staircase. He glanced round at us with his kindly smile, and, clapping me lightly on the shoulder, exclaimed: "A word with you in my room, Monsieur Le Blanc."
Expecting some trifling commission, such as often fell to his gentlemen of the bodyguard, I followed him into the apartment, and stood waiting to hear his commands.
"A prudent youth, De Guerchy," he remarked to his companion, "and not without experience. He it was who brought the timely warning to Tanlay. His father is the Sieur Le Blanc."
"A gallant soldier!" said De Guerchy with decision.
"And I think the lad will follow in his father's footsteps. I am about to send him to Saint Jean d'Angely, and to Cognac," adding, with a laugh, "'tis a far less distance than to Tanlay."
"But the commission is almost as important," said De Guerchy.