Hector arrived at the hotel just in time for the midday meal, and was pleased to find that Conde himself was not present.  He and his two companions were placed at different points at the great table, so that as many as possible could hear the story of the battle.  After the meal was over, Hector was glad to leave the salon, and in company with a gentleman of the household, who had volunteered to be his guide, spent the afternoon in visiting the principal sights of Paris, of which he had seen but little when a boy in barracks.  The hotels of the nobles, each a fortress rather than a private building, interested him greatly, as also the streets in which the principal traders lived; but he was unfavourably impressed with the appearance of the population in all other parts, and could well understand what his guide told him, that it was dangerous in the extreme for a gentleman unattended to pass through these quarters.

At six o’clock he sat down to the evening meal at Conde’s, after which, having attired himself in his new suit, he repaired with de Penthiere and de Caussac to the Louvre.  It was eight o’clock when they entered, the reception rooms were already full, and the brilliancy of the attire, both of the courtiers and ladies, seen by the light of great chandeliers, was impressive in the extreme to one who had never seen any gathering of the kind before.  There was a little pause in the buzz of conversation as the three officers entered, and Hector’s two companions were at once surrounded by friends, while he himself was joined by Colonel Maclvor and the other two officers.

“You are the heroes of the evening, Campbell,” the former said with a laugh.  “A dozen ladies have already asked me to present you to them.”

“Well, please don’t do so just now, colonel; let me look round first.”

“That is but fair, Campbell.  First, though, I will tell you a piece of news that I have just heard.  The queen sent off a messenger two days ago to Turenne, and it is believed that he is to have the command of the army on the Rhine.”

“That is good news indeed,” Hector exclaimed.  “It is high time that he should be given a command, instead of being always put under men less capable than himself.  Still, it is unexpected at the present moment.”

“I know that the queen always had the greatest liking for Turenne,” the colonel said, “but of course until now she has had no power.  Moreover, I fancy that the appointment is to some extent dictated by policy.  Conde is already dangerously powerful; Enghien’s victory will, of course, largely add to his influence.  No doubt some large estates will be given to the latter, such a service cannot be ungenerously rewarded, but it will be thought unadvisable to give him at present further opportunities.  Conde is old, and his son, who is certainly ambitious and hotheaded now, will be even more powerful than his father has been.  Were he to win more victories,