"I am fortunate, gentlemen," said the prince, "in securing the
services of such fine young men. You will oblige me by enlisting as
many of your countrymen as you may consider likely to do good service,
and then follow me to Guienne, to which province I am now about to
depart. Be pleased to put yourself into communication with the parties
named in this paper, and after my absence you will receive from them
every assistance and necessary supplies which may be required."
A month after this interview, Conde, who had been joined by a great
number of nobles, and had been re-enforced by troops from Spain, set
up the standard of revolt. Edward and his friends joined them, with
about three hundred English and Scotchmen, which they had enlisted,
and very soon afterward Conde obtained the victory at Blenan, and in
April, 1652, advanced to Paris. Turenne, who had taken the command of
the French army, followed him, and a severe action was fought in the
streets of the suburb of St. Antoine, in which neither party had the
advantage. But eventually Conde was beaten back by the superior force
of Turenne; and, not receiving the assistance he expected from the
Spaniards, he fell back to the frontiers of Champagne.
Previous to his departure from Paris, Edward had received Humphrey's
letter, explaining away the intendant's conduct; and the contents
removed a heavy load from Edward's mind; but he now thought of nothing
but war, and although he cherished the idea of Patience Heatherstone,
he was resolved to follow the fortunes of the prince as long as he
could.
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