Here the Chevalier beckoned to Berenger, who, riding forward, learnt that Narcisse had engaged lodgings for him and his suite at one of the great inns, and Berenger returned his thanks, and a proposal to the Chevalier to become his guest.  They were by this time entering the city, where the extreme narrowness and dirt of the streets contrasted with the grandeur of the palatial courts that could be partly seen through their archways.  At the hostel they rode under such an arch, and found themselves in a paved yard that would have been grand had it been clean.  Privacy had scarcely been invented, and the party were not at all surprised to find that the apartment prepared for them was to serve both day and night for Berenger, the Chevalier, and Mr. Adderley, besides having a truckle-bed on the floor for Osbert.  Meals were taken in public, and it was now one o’clock—­just dinner-time; so after a hasty toilette the three gentlemen descended, the rest of the party having ridden off to their quarters, either as attendants of Monsieur or to their families.  It was a sumptuous meal, at which a great number of gentlemen were present, coming in from rooms hired over shops, &c—­all, as it seemed, assembled at Paris for the marriage festivities; but Berenger began to gather that they were for the most part adherents of the Guise party, and far from friendly to the Huguenot interest.  Some of them appeared hardly to tolerate Mr. Adderley’s presence at the table; and Berenger, though his kinsman’s patronage secured civil treatment, felt much out of his element, confused, unable to take part in the conversation, and sure that he was where those at home did not wish to see him.

No sooner was the dinner over than he rose and expressed his intention of delivering his letters of introduction in person to the English ambassador and to the Admiral de Coligny, whom, as his father’s old friend and the hero of his boyhood, he was most anxious to see.  The Chevalier demurred to this.  Were it not better to take measures at once for making himself presentable, and Narcisse had already supplied him with directions to the fashionable hair-cutter, &c.  It would be taken amiss if he went to the Admiral before going to present himself to the King.

‘And I cannot see my cousins till I go to court?’ asked Berenger.

’Most emphatically No.  Have I not told you that the one is in the suite of the young Queen, the other in that of the Queen-mother?  I will myself present you, if only you will give me the honour of your guidance.’

‘With all thanks, Monsieur,’ said Berenger; ’my grandfather’s desire was that I should lose no time in going to his friend Sir Francis Walsingham, and I had best submit myself to his judgment as to my appearance at court.’

On this point Berenger was resolute, though the Chevalier recurred to the danger of any proceeding that might be unacceptable at court.  Berenger, harassed and impatient, repeated that he did not care about the court, and wished merely to fulfil his purpose and return, at which his kinsman shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, and muttered to himself, ’Ah, what does he know!  He will regret it when too late; but I have done my best.’