The gaunt troopers riding at ease with swinging legs and swaying stirrups--and singing now a refrain from Ronsard, and now one of those verses of Marot's psalms which all the world had sung three decades before--wore their most lamb-like aspect.

Behind them Madame St.Lo chattered to Suzanne of a riding mask which had not been brought, or planned expedients, if nothing sufficiently in the mode could be found at Angers.

And the other women talked and giggled, screamed when they came to fords, and made much of steep places, where the men must help them.

In time of war death's shadow covers but a day, and sorrow out of sight is out of mind.

Of all the troop whom the sinking sun left within sight of the lofty towers and vine-clad hills of Vendome, three only wore faces attuned to the cruel August week just ending; three only, like dark beads strung far apart on a gay nun's rosary, rode, brooding and silent, in their places.