"I am also instructed," the governor said, "to close the gate, in
case any party, followers of the Dukes of Vendome or Beaufort, or
of any families connected with them, arrive before you leave, and
to grant them no admittance until a messenger from the mouth of
the river informs me that you are fairly out at sea."

"I am indeed obliged to his eminence for that order, sir; he did
not mention to me that he was giving it, but it will certainly
save me from much anxiety."

As Hector was not disposed to haggle about terms, he had no difficulty
in hiring a vessel to carry them across the Channel. Twenty-four
hours after his arrival the party from the chateau rode in, and
but half an hour later fifty horsemen wearing the cognizance of
Vendome galloped up to the gate. They were headed by four or five
gentlemen, one of whom demanded angrily why the gates were shut.

"They are closed by order of the governor," the officer in charge
replied.

"Tell the governor that the Count d'Erlon, with a party of gentlemen,
retainers of the Duke of Vendome, are here, and demand instant
admittance."

Twenty minutes later the governor himself arrived at the gate. "I
am sorry, gentlemen," he said, "that I am compelled to keep the
gates closed. I have an order from Cardinal Mazarin to that effect,
and that, coming from the first minister of France, I dare not
disregard even if the duke himself were with you. It would cost me
my place, and possibly gain me a cell in the Bastille; and, grieved