“It is quite true that the defeat would not be his fault, but for some mysterious reason or other the French always hold the ministers, for the time being, responsible for military disasters.  So long as Mazarin checks Enghien, and prevents his running any risks of disaster, things are likely to go on smoothly here, and you may be sure that he will give the prince no chance of either suffering a defeat or achieving a victory.  You see, the prince and his father together might be a great deal too powerful for the cardinal.  Everyone knows that Conde himself has never cared much for anything but his own interests.  Enghien has the character of being the most impetuous and violent young noble of the day, and the fact that he forced this fight when, as is generally known, l’Hopital had the strictest orders not to risk a battle, makes it clear that Enghien has but little regard for authority.

“You will see that Mazarin will not give him further opportunities of becoming the idol of France until he has assured himself that he can count upon his friendship.  Mazarin is not Richelieu.  The red cardinal won his way to the leadership of France by proving himself able to defeat all intrigues against him, and crush every enemy, even those of the most exalted position.  Mazarin has no such antecedents.  He is not even a Frenchman; he does not even look like a noble.  That he is clever we may be sure, or Richelieu would not have recommended him as his successor.  But I fancy that it is the cleverness of an adventurer, and however adroit, an adventurer, and especially a foreign adventurer, will not hold power in France very long without exciting the hatred of the community and the hostility of the nobles.  However, I suppose you are remaining here for a time.”

“That I do not know.  I would rather return at once to the camp.  But I suppose I must wait for some intimation that I may do so.  You see, I am altogether out of my element in Paris, and I should feel particularly uncomfortable at the court.”

“Who would you rather go to, Enghien or Turenne?”

“Just at present there is more doing with Enghien than Turenne, and more to learn, otherwise I would far rather be with Turenne.  Enghien’s camp is too full of young nobles; and I should say that he would take but little trouble in keeping order and repressing license.  Turenne is by no means unduly strict, but he enforces order, and sets us such an example of earnestness and attention to work, himself, that he has a right to expect the same, to some degree, of everyone under him.”

“Where are you staying?”

“At the Hotel Conde.  The prince was good enough this morning to ask me to establish myself there while I remained in Paris, and I could not very well decline his invitation.”

“I should think not,” one of the other officers laughed.  “In these days a powerful friend is of the greatest use.  Without that one has not much chance of advancement.  Not that I want advancement; I would rather remain as I am, a captain in the Scottish regiment, surrounded by good and loyal friends and comrades, than be made a general.  Still, one likes to have a grumble sometimes at any rate.”