friends from my chateau."

A slight smile passed over the cardinal's face.

"'Tis no time for jesting," he said; "but in truth I had intended
to find a rich heiress for you. But when I heard that two ladies
were staying at the castle I laid the project aside; and 'tis as
well that I did so, for, were you married to a princess, your life
would not be safe in France. Farewell, Monsieur Campbell, I have
not so many friends that I can afford to lose so true and stout a
one, especially one upon whom misfortunes have come through his
good services to myself. I will send a messenger to the governor of
Nantes with orders that he shall in every way forward your wishes
as to your departure, as it is with my consent and approval that
you are sailing for England. Your devotion has brought you into the
gravest peril, and now it forces you to relinquish your profession,
in which you have so greatly distinguished yourself. Truly, my
friendship for you is genuine, and it cuts me to the heart that,
although I could uphold you against the most powerful nobles
in open enmity, I can do naught to save you from assassination.
I trust some day that I may see you again, but, should it not be
so, remember that I shall always feel myself your debtor; and should
you have friends for whom you may ask my protection be sure that
I will for your sake do all in my power for them."

There was no doubting the real emotion with which Mazarin spoke.

"There is one thing that I forgot," the latter said; "here is a
pass for you to leave the gates at once. You had better go out by
the north, so that they may think that you have ridden to Calais,