His fair complexion contrasted strongly with the much darker one of the majority of the courtiers, and this, as well as his height and erect soldierly bearing, rendered him a conspicuous object among them.

The queen and cardinal both honoured him with marked attention; but what pleased him most during the evening was the hearty greeting that he received from Colonel Maclvor, of whom he had seen but little during the campaign, as the Scottish regiment formed part of Enghien's command, and was not present at the battle of Nordlingen, being left in garrison at Metz when the duke marched to join Turenne.

Mazarin himself presented him to many of the ladies of the court, thereby showing that he wished him to be regarded as a particular friend of his; and Hector, having gained much in self possession since he had last appeared there, was able to make himself more agreeable to them than before, to bandy compliments, and adapt himself to the general atmosphere of the court.

The cardinal sent for him again the next morning.
"The news is bad from Poitou, Colonel Campbell, and I think that it would be well that you should proceed there at once.

So we will release you from further attendance, and you can make up for it by giving us a longer time on your return." Hector, however, tarried two days longer in Paris, by which time he had received all the clothes that he had ordered.