The fray lasted but two minutes, in all; and my being upon the spot was due to no forethought of mine, but was of the nature of a pure accident." "Nay, sir, you should not say that; you were led there by the hand of God.

But tell me how you came to be in the wood, and pray omit nothing." Philip related the whole story, from the time of the incident at the inn, to the time when he handed over Claire to the care of Madame de Landres.
"It was well done, sir," the count said, laying his hand affectionately on his shoulder, when he concluded.

"The young prince said you would have a story to tell him, when you came back; but I little dreamt that it would be one in which I had such interest.
"Well, Claire cannot do better than remain where she is, for the present; until, at any rate, I can remove her to La Rochelle, which is the only place where she can be said to be absolutely safe; but so long as we hold La Charite there is, as you say, but slight fear of any fresh trouble there.

From all other parts of France, we hear the same tales of cruel massacre and executions, by fire and sword." Francois de Laville was not with Coligny's army, as he was with the Prince of Navarre, who had remained near La Rochelle; but he was very pleased to find the Count de la Noue, who had just rejoined the army; having been exchanged for a Royalist officer of rank, who had fallen into the hands of the Huguenots.
"You have been doing great things, while I have been lying in prison, Philip," the count said warmly.

"I hear that the Admiral has made you and my cousin knights; and more than that, I heard half an hour since from De Valecourt that, while carrying despatches to the Germans, you had time to do a little knight-errant's work, and had the good fortune to save his daughter from being massacred by the Catholics.