I am scarcely less pleased at the decrease in drunkenness, and at the general improvement in the men, than by the increase of discipline and efficiency." "Do you mean to come to Paris, colonel ?" De Thiou asked presently.
"No; I shall remain here.

I shall ride in every day, but my presence will be more necessary with the regiment than with only two companies.
You as senior officer will be responsible for the general order of the detachment." Hector rode in the next day with his men, and after seeing them comfortably lodged in barracks, returned to St.Denis.A week later reports reached St.Denis of a strange scene at the court.

The haughty and insolent Duchess of Monthazon, who belonged to the party of the Importants, had the impertinence to insult the queen grossly in the gardens of the Tuileries.

She had at once been disgraced and ordered to retire to Rochfield, and the Duke of Beaufort and his friends were furious at this exercise of Mazarin's authority.

The next day Hector received a message asking him to call at the Hotel de Cleves, the cardinal's residence.