“You will find me always ready to obey his majesty’s commands,” I answered, and at that the whole body rode off, Cordel turning round to give me a glance of bitter and vindictive hatred.

“The lawyer’s first move!” observed Jacques, who had been standing by my side during the parley, “what will be the second?”

“To seek the advice of his patron.  To-morrow most likely he will set out for Paris.  It was bound to come to this, but I am rather sorry.  Monseigneur has immense influence over the king.  I fear that he and the Queen-Mother will prove more than a match for the Admiral.  However, we will go on hoping until the worst happens.”

The next evening Jacques returned with the information that the lawyer had departed.  Having expected this move I was not surprised, but it made my prospects distinctly gloomy.  Anjou possessed much influence at Court, and the king was hardly likely to quarrel with his brother over the affairs of an unknown and penniless lad.

Several weeks passed, and even after Cordel’s return from Paris I remained in quiet possession of the castle.  I received no papers from the king, but, on the other hand, no one made any attempt to molest me.  It appeared as if the cloud had passed over without bursting.  But I was yet to learn of what Etienne Cordel was capable.

I was sitting one night alone in my room, reading for the second time a letter from Jeanne.  She wrote very brightly and hopefully.  She continued to be a decided favourite with her royal mistress, and was very happy in her service.  This was good news, as I thought it unwise for her to come to Le Blanc until my affairs were settled.

She wrote at great length, too, on a subject that was producing much excitement in Queen Joan’s little court.  This was a proposal that Henry of Bearn should marry the king’s sister, Margaret.  Charles was said to be eager for the marriage, which was also approved of by the leading Huguenot gentlemen, but thus far Queen Joan had refused her consent.

“Faith,” I said to myself, “nothing could be better; it would give our party a strong friend at Court.  It might help me out of my difficulty too.  I wish the marriage were taking place to-morrow!”

It was a wild night outside; very cold, with a heavy downfall of rain, while now and then the wind howled round the building in furious gusts.  I had put the letter away, and was sitting down again when some one knocked at the door.  Knowing it must be Jacques, I told him to enter.

“A wild night, Jacques,” I remarked.  “We have the best of it indoors.”

“Truly, monsieur, only those who are forced will ride abroad in weather like this.  But there is one person eager enough for your company to brave the storm.  He has travelled far, too, by the look of his horse.”

“A visitor for me!  Where is he?  Who is it?”

“He is in the courtyard, where, if you take my advice, you will let him stay.  As to who he is, he either has no name or is too shy to tell it.  He is muffled up so closely that one cannot see his face.”