What you have said is very right and true.  Doubtless Richelieu has spies in this town, as he has elsewhere, and may have learned that a young officer on my brother’s staff was brought here last autumn grievously wounded.  But it is certainly well that now, as the time for action is at hand, you should retire.  You are not thinking, I hope, of returning at once, for it was but a day or two ago that the surgeon assured me that it would need another three or four months of quiet before you would be fit to resume your duties.”

“I feel that myself, my lord, and moreover I think that it would be as well that I should not join the viscount at present, for it might well be supposed that I was the bearer of some important news from you to him; therefore I propose to go to Geneva, and remain there until I have completely recruited my strength.  In the Swiss republic I should pass unnoticed, even by the cardinal’s agents.  And the fact that, although being but a comparatively short distance from Piedmont, I abstained from joining the general, would, if they inquired, show that I could not have been entrusted with any private communication from you to him.”

“It could not be better,” the duke said.  “When you leave here you should no longer wear that military scarf.  Of course, when you enter Switzerland there is no reason why you should disguise the fact that you are a French officer, and having been severely wounded, have come there to repair your health.  Doubtless many others have done so; and, dressed as a private person, you would excite no attention.  But the Swiss, who strive to hold themselves neutral and to avoid giving offence, might raise objections to a French officer wearing military attire staying among them.”

That evening Hector bade his adieu to the duchess and to the friends he had made during his stay, and the next morning, attended by Paolo, he started for Geneva.

“I am glad indeed that we are off, master,” the latter said.  “In truth, had I stayed here much longer I should have become useless from fat and idleness, for I have had nothing whatever to do but to eat and sleep.”

“I am glad to be off, too, Paolo.  I am convinced myself, in spite of what the surgeon says, that actual exercise will do more for me than the doctor’s potions and rich food.  I am stiff still, but it is from doing nothing, and were it not that coming from here my presence might be inconvenient for Turenne, I would journey straight to his camp.  You saw the prince’s manifesto?”

Paolo nodded.  “I did, master.  Not being able to read or write, I could make nothing of it myself, but a burgher coming along read it aloud, and it made me shake in my shoes with fright.  I made my way as quickly as I could from so dangerous a spot, for it seemed nothing short of treason to have heard such words read against the cardinal.”