“I put myself in your hands,” Hector said.  “I wish for a handsome dress, and yet one which shall in no way be foppish, but shall be suitable to my station.  I am Baron de la Villar, colonel of the Poitou regiment of infantry.”

“Do you incline to silk, velvet, or satin?  I should say a velvet cloak and satin tunic and breeches would suit you best with your fair hair.  I should choose for the cloak a crimson or violet, and for the doublet and breeches a yellow.  If you would prefer a blue cloak I should say a white satin doublet and breeches would become you.”

Hector shook his head.  “No, I should prefer the first mixture.  I care not whether the cloak is crimson or violet.”

“I think violet, monsieur, and rosettes of the same colour on your shoes.  It were best, I think, that the stockings should match the doublet.  You will, of course, have a pointed lace collar for your cloak, and at the bottom of your breeches and at your wrists to match.  I think, sir, that a large collar and gold embroidery would go best with the costume.”

Hector nodded.  “I leave it entirely to you, Master Poitrou, so that everything is ready in time for me to wear them.  I also want a travelling suit of good fashion —­ I leave the matter of colour to you —­ and also a suit for wearing here in Paris.”

The cloak and doublets were speedily chosen, as M. Poitrou had several of the colour and material in stock.  Hector was then measured for the breeches, which were of the fashion now known as knickerbockers, but somewhat looser.  He then chose a violet cap with a yellow feather to match the court dress, a court sword, high riding boots, and loose turned-over boots used for walking, but left all other matters to the tailor.

“When your man brings the things to me at the auberge Pome d’Or I will pay him at once,” he said.  He was indeed well supplied with funds, for as he passed through Nancy he had drawn the sums standing to his credit from an agent there, to whom he had, as occasion offered, transmitted the greater portion of his pay, and also the balance of the sum that had been paid him when he first took possession of his estate, after paying for the various expenses he had incurred in St. Denis and in Paris.  Monsieur Poitrou was faithful to his promise, and although free from vanity, Hector could not but perceive, after he had donned his court suit, that he made a good figure.  Such, indeed, was the opinion of not a few of the ladies of the court as he entered the great reception room.

He had now adopted the general fashion, and wore his hair in ringlets hanging down on to the collar.  His fair complexion contrasted strongly with the much darker one of the majority of the courtiers, and this, as well as his height and erect soldierly bearing, rendered him a conspicuous object among them.  The queen and cardinal both honoured him with marked attention; but what pleased him most during the evening