"Tell us all about it," said the Admiral, "for if this be true——" but here he checked himself.
"The Prince's horse fell, my lord, and he was thrown heavily. I tried to reach him, but failed."
"'Tis plain that you made a most gallant attempt!" remarked Coligny in kindly tones.
"I was knocked down, my lord, and I suppose thought to be dead! The Prince lay a yard or so away. He had taken off his helmet, and was talking to one of the enemy's officers. I heard him say, 'D'Argence, save my life and I will give you a hundred thousand crowns!"
"And what was the answer?"
"The officer promised, my lord, but just afterwards a fresh body of soldiers came galloping to that part of the field. Then the Prince said, 'There is Monseigneur's troop; I am a dead man!'"
"And what answered D'Argence?"
"He said, 'No, my lord, cover your face, and I will yet save you.' But he had not the chance. One of Monseigneur's officers"—we learned afterwards that it was Montesquieu, the captain of the Swiss guard—"shot the Prince in the back of the head!"
"And killed him instantly?"
"He just had strength to say, 'Now I trust you are content!'" replied the trooper, "and then he fell forward dead. They wrapped his body in a sheet and carried it off the field, but I do not know where."