his way; but he himself was delighted, and made sure of success. The
last time he came he told me he heard that Rocroy was invested by the
enemy. I was made to promise that in case of any advance on the
enemy's part I would instantly set off for Paris. He said it was the
only way to make him fight with a free heart, if a battle there were,
and not repent of having permitted me to follow him, and that I must
think of my child as well as myself; but he did not expect any such
good fortune as a battle, the old marshal was so set against it!

But I knew that he did expect a battle, by the way he came back and
back again to embrace me and his child.

I have waited and watched many times since that day, but never as I
then waited. With what agony I watched and prayed! how I lived
either before the altar, or at the window! how I seemed to be all
eyes and ears! How reports came that there was fighting, then that
we had the day, then that all was lost! Then came a calm, and it was
said that Marshal de l'Hospital had refused to fight, and was in full
retreat, with the Duke of Enghien cursing and swearing and tearing
his hair. My landlord had a visit from the mayor to say that he must
prepare to have some men billeted on him, and I sent out to inquire
for horses, but decided that, as it was only our own troops
retreating, there would be plenty of time. Then one of the maids of
the house rushed in declaring that firing was plainly to be heard.
Half the people were out in the streets, many more had gone outside
the city to listen. Tryphena sat crying with fright, and rocking the
baby in her lap, and wishing she had never come to this dreadful
country. Alas! poor Tryphena she would have been no better off in
her own at that moment! I ran from window to door, unable to rest a
moment, listening to the cries in the streets, asking the landlady