“As I have been rewarded far above my merits for any service that I have rendered,” Hector said quietly, “it is probable that the queen has nothing to say to me.  She was pleased to receive me very graciously this morning, and gave me her hand to kiss, and I assuredly have no right to expect any further favours.”

In a few minutes the two officers came out, both looking radiant, the queen having graciously presented them with the titles to two estates.  A minute later Hector’s name was called, and he went off, with a deep bow to the ladies and a murmured apology for leaving them.

“A loyal spirit, surely,” Madame de Chevreuse said; “bizarre, of course, and at present simple as a child.  Moreover, I should say that the atmosphere of the court will not infect him as it has the others.  It is refreshing to meet with one who, although he must have distinguished himself vastly, is still modest and simple, without a shadow of conceit or of self consciousness.  He spoke as frankly to us as if we were two waiting maids at a cabaret.  However, men of that stamp may always be made useful, and I would rather have the devotion of a young officer like that, who is, I should say, likely to rise to high rank, than that of half a dozen men ready to lay their hearts at the feet of the first comer, and who are as ready to change mistresses as sides.”

By this time the door had closed behind Hector.  The queen was sitting on a sofa, with the little king by her side.  Mazarin stood a pace behind her.  Conde and Orleans had a short time before gone out, and had mingled with the crowd in the antechamber, and the courtiers present, who were all members of her council, stood some distance in the rear.

“We have had time, Colonel Campbell, to read our despatches, and can now estimate the service that you rendered the Duc d’Enghien and our army.  General Gassion, or I should say Marshal Gassion, for he has today been raised to that rank, speaks of the value of that service in terms of the highest eulogy, and indeed says frankly, that had it not been for your voluntary expedition and the discovery by you of the Spanish ambuscade, it is probable that we should have suffered a defeat instead of a victory.  The duke speaks no less strongly in your favour.  I can remember that when the Viscount Turenne was here three years ago, he told us how a young Scottish officer on his staff had saved Turin to us by a most daring enterprise, by which he informed the garrison of the citadel that help would soon reach them, and mentioned that for that service he had appointed Monsieur Campbell a captain.  You are Scottish by birth, are you not?”

“I am, your majesty, by birth and descent.  My father was a captain in the Scottish regiment, and fell at the siege of La Rochelle.  I was, I may say, adopted by the regiment, and had the good fortune to be trained in arms from a child, and the still greater fortune to attract the attention of the Viscount de Turenne, who, young as I was, obtained a commission for me and appointed me to his staff.”