Two planks had been forced out of the middle; signs were made to me to advance; and as there was a great deal of mud, a footman took me up, carried me along, and put me through this hole, through which I had no sooner passed my head than the drums began beating.

I gave my hand to the captain, and said to him, "You will be very glad that you can boast of having managed to get me in." [Illustration: The Great Mademoiselle----373] The keeper of the seals was obliged to return to Blois, and Mdlle.

kept Orleans, but without being able to effect an entrance for the troops of the Dukes of Nemours and Beaufort, who had just tried a surprise against the court.

Had it not been for the aid of Turenne, who had defended the bridge of Jargeau, the king might have fallen into the hands of his revolted subjects.

The queen rested at Gien whilst the princes went on as far as Montargis, thus cutting off the communications of the court with Paris.