“I was not exchanged, madam.  I succeeded in effecting my escape from the fortress of Ingoldstadt.”

“You seem born to have adventures, monsieur,” the queen said.  “We heard before of your regiment performing prodigies of valour at Freiburg, and of withstanding Merci’s whole army, foot and horse, for three hours.  Last winter the governor of Lorraine reported that you and a company of your regiment from Nancy had defeated a great body of insurgent peasants, and had rescued Madame de Blenfoix and her daughter from massacre at their hands.  There is no officer under the rank of general whose name has been so frequently brought under our notice.  You intend to make some stay in Paris, I hope?”

“I shall do myself the honour later on, your majesty; but I hear that there are peasant troubles down in Poitou, and as I only paid a visit of a few days there, when your majesty had the goodness to present the fief to me, I am anxious to know how matters are going on, and to see that my castle is secure from attack by the insurgents.”

“Your excuse is a good one.  It would be well if more possessors of estates would spend their time in endeavouring to alleviate the condition of their people, instead of wasting their time and money in Paris.”

“Monsieur de Villar took steps in that direction, your majesty, before leaving for the war; for my agents, who keep me informed of most things that take place, acquainted me with the fact that Monsieur de Villar entirely remitted the usual fines on taking possession, and reduced the annual payment of his tenants by one half until times should mend.”

“A noble example!” the queen said warmly.  “I would that we could afford to do the same through all the royal domains.  It is a pleasure to us to know that one at least of our fiefs has been so worthily bestowed.  Well, sir, I shall see you at the court this evening.”

Hector bowed and withdrew.  His first step was to go to the clothing establishment most frequented by men of good family.  “I have to attend at the court this evening.  I have just returned from the army, and have but the clothes that I stand up in.  Have you any garments that will fit me suitable for such an occasion?”

“Of shoulder cloaks I have great store in silks, satins, and velvets of all shades and colours.  There is no difficulty about doublets, for of these I always keep a large stock in hand; and although you are a bigger man than the majority of my customers, I think that I can suit you.  Tight pantaloons are chiefly worn by those who affect the latest fashion, but it would be impossible for me to make these at such short notice.  As you are a military man this matters little, for these chiefly affect loose breeches trimmed at the bottom with rich lace, stockings of silk, and shoes with rosettes.  Such breeches I could promise you in three hours, for they require but little making.  The stockings of all shades I have in stock, also shoes.  These would need but rosettes of the colour to suit the dress, to be added to them.”