Our horses were ready, my pistols holstered, and my valise strapped to
Michelot's saddle. Despite the desperate outlook of my fortunes, of which
I had made him fully cognisant, he insisted upon clinging to me, reminding
me that at Rocroi I had saved his life and that he would leave me only when
I bade him go.
As four o'clock was striking at N?tre Dame we crossed the Pont Neuf, and
going by the Quai des Augustins and the Rue de la Harpe, we quitted Paris
by the St. Michel Gate and took the road to Choisy. The rain had ceased,
but the air was keen and cold, and the wind cut like a sword-edge.
CHAPTER V
MAZARIN, THE MATCH-MAKER
Twixt Paris and Choisy there lies but a distance of some two leagues,
which, given a fair horse, one may cover with ease in little more than half
an hour. So that as the twilight was deepening into night we drew rein
before the hostelry of the Conn?table, in the only square the little
township boasts, and from the landlord I had that obsequious reception
which is ever accorded to him who travels with a body-servant.
I found Andrea installed in a fair-sized and comfortable apartment, to the
original decoration of which he added not a little by bestowing his boots
in the centre of the floor, his hat, sword, and baldrick on the table, his
cloak on one chair, and his doublet on another.
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