He has only this instant arrived, and I thought I might venture to bring him at once to you." "'Tis a long time since we have seen you, monsieur," the queen said graciously, "but we have heard of you from the marshal's despatches, and were glad to see that your regiment bore itself as well in the field of battle as in the park of Versailles.

What news do you bring?
Nothing of importance, I hope, for there can hardly be good news when the marshal has so scanty a force with which to guard the frontier." "The Viscount de Turenne is too zealous in your service, madam, to remain idle, however small his force.

He started suddenly the day I left with his cavalry and a small body of infantry to march to Treves, with two or three regiments he has persuaded the Duc d'Enghien to send him from Metz with some guns, and he hoped to capture the city and clear the electorate of the enemy before they can receive strong reinforcements, seeing that they are all scattered in their winter quarters." "A bold stroke indeed, cardinal," the queen said, much gratified.

"It has touched our honour that the elector should so long have suffered for his fidelity to France; and, moreover, its possession in his hands will relieve us of much anxiety and give us the Moselle as a barrier against the incursions of the enemy in that corner of our dominions.

He is indefatigable, this good viscount, cardinal; and he is not one of those who look for great rewards for every service.