“A point in the game to us, Edmond,” said my comrade, “and oddly gained too.  The Admiral’s chaplain will make use of that in his next discourse.  He will say that Providence is fighting on our side.”

“’Tis at least a good omen!  Had the enemy crossed, we must have been defeated.”

“Perhaps so; perhaps not.  I’ll wager Guise is storming over yonder, at the escape of his prey.”

“But why wasn’t the ford guarded?” I asked.

“An oversight, most likely, and a fortunate one for us.  However, we are out of the trap.”

“There is still a long distance to go.”

“Yes, but every day’s journey improves our position.  Conde feels secure now; he dreaded only the passage of the Loire.  Guise made a huge blunder which, in the future, will cost him dear.”

Encouraged by our escape, and more so by the strange manner of it, we rode on with light hearts, chatting gaily about our past adventures, and looking forward with confidence to our safe arrival at Rochelle.

“I suppose you will throw in your lot with us,” said Bellievre, as we lay sheltering one noon from the sun’s heat; “it is a great honour to belong to the Admiral’s household.”

“I should like it of all things, but there are two objections to the plan.  In the first place the Admiral has not offered me the privilege, and in the second I must return home.  My parents will be alarmed at such a long absence.”

“Yes,” he said slowly, “you must visit your father and mother.  As for the first objection,” he added mysteriously, “it can be remedied easily.”

I did not understand his meaning, but the very next day, as we were proceeding on our journey, the Admiral came to my side.

“Bellievre tells me,” he said, “that you wish to join my household!”

“My lord,” I replied, flushing crimson—­for this speech was very startling and unexpected—­“I can hardly credit that such honour is within my reach.”

“There is no honour to which the son of the Sieur Le Blanc cannot aspire,” he said, “and you have already proved yourself a brave lad.  But first you must lay the proposal before your father; if he consents, you will find me at my house in Rochelle.  We pass, I believe, within a day or two’s march of Le Blanc.  Is your purse empty?”

“No, my lord, I thank you; I have sufficient for my needs.”

“Very well; you know where to find me, but I warrant Bellievre will be looking out for you!”

“I shall watch for him eagerly, my lord,” interposed Felix; “he is too good a comrade to be lost.”

“I owe this to your kindness, Felix,” I remarked when the Admiral had ridden off.

“Not kindness, my friend, but selfishness.  I was thinking not so much of you, as of Felix Bellievre.  I foresee many happy days in store for us, Edmond.”

“Like the one at Sancerre, for instance!”

“Ah,” he replied brightly, “that is a day to be marked in red.  But there will be others; and, Edmond, do not waste too much time between Le Blanc and La Rochelle.”