Chapter I: Preface

Those who are acquainted with the delightful Memoires Secrets de M. Le Comte de Bussy Rabutin (particularly the supplements to them), and with Rousset's Histoire de Louvois, will, perhaps, recognise the inspiration of this story. Those who are not so acquainted with these works will, I trust, still be able to take some interest in the adventures of Georges St. Georges.

J. B.-B.

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CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I.--"THE KING'S COMMAND" 1

II.--HOSPITALITY! 10

III.--IT IS THE MAN 18

IV.--"HER LIFE STANDS IN THE PATH OF OTHERS' GREED" 27

V.--THE GRAVEYARD 34

VI.--A LITTLE LIGHT 44

VII.--A REASON 53

VIII.--DRAWING NEAR 62

IX.--A ROYAL SUMMONS 71

X.--MADAME LA MARQUISE 80

XI.--THE MARQUISE TELLS A STORY 89

XII.--LOST 96

XIII.--DE ROQUEMAURE'S WORK 105

XIV.--"I MUST SPEAK!" 114

XV.--THE MINISTER OF WAR 123

XVI.--PASQUEDIEU! 132

XVII.--"KILL HIM DEAD, RAOUL!" 140

XVIII.--LA GALERE GRANDE REALE 149

XIX.--"A NEW LIFE" 158

XX.--"HURRY, HURRY, HURRY!" 166

XXI.--MAY, 1692 175

XXII.--LA HOGUE 183

XXIII.--THE BITTERNESS OF DEATH 191

XXIV.--ON THE ROAD 199

XXV.--"I KNOW YOUR FACE" 207

XXVI.--IN THE SNARE 216

XXVII.--ANOTHER ESCAPE 224

XXVIII.--THE FLEUR-DE-LIS 231

XXIX.--FAREWELL HOPE 240

XXX.--"IT IS TRUE" 248

XXXI.--ST. GEORGES'S DOOM 256

XXXII.--THE LAST CHANCE 265

XXXIII.--THE DAY OF EXECUTION 274

XXXIV.--"I WILL NEVER FORGIVE HER" 283

XXXV.--AT LAST 291

CONCLUSION 300

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IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY.

THE FIRST PERIOD.