"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