In the mean time, Charles of Blois was not inactive.  Hennebonne was, of itself, too important a fortress to be overlooked; and, besides that, the heroic countess was there.  If he could take the city and make prisoner its defender, his cause would be gained.  With both the count and his wife in his power, he would be sure of the succession.  Accordingly, before the supplies which Edward was sending could reach Hennebonne, he laid siege to it; but did not find its capture so easy a matter as he had expected.

The besieged made frequent sallies, in which the enemy lost both men and reputation, though they were not compelled to raise the siege.  On one of these occasions the return of the countess was intercepted, and she found it impossible to regain the fortress.  Nothing daunted she commanded her men to disperse themselves over the country, while she made her own escape to Brest.  As soon as was possible, she collected another and larger force, and, forcing her way through the enemy’s camp, made good her entrance into the city, to the great joy of her almost discouraged partisans.

Subsequently, the re-enforcements expected from Edward not having yet arrived, it was thought the garrison would be obliged to capitulate, and negotiations were actually commenced.  The countess, deeply mortified at the turn her affairs were taking, had mounted a high turret, and there remained, looking sadly out over the sea in the direction whence the long-expected, but now despaired of, supplies should have come.  Perhaps there was still a slight hope in her heart that, even yet, the desired aid might be afforded.  If so, that hope was destined to be realized.  As she kept her position, gazing sorrowfully over the wide expanse of waters, she descried dark objects on the very verge of the horizon.  The despairing look gave place to one of eager, hopeful watching.  The objects increased in size as she strained the eye to determine what they really were.  A favorable breeze was wafting them nearer, and presently they took a tangible form.  “Sails! sails!” cried the delighted countess.  “Behold the succors—­the English succors.  No capitulation!” The opportune arrival of the re-enforcements sent by Edward had saved the garrison.  Charles was obliged to raise the siege.  He had neither taken the city nor captured the countess.

Edward’s six thousand gallant troops did the cause of the countess and her still besieged husband good service.  They had not appeared upon the field at an earlier period in the struggle in consequence of contrary winds.  But the delay itself had accomplished very much in bringing out the strong points in the character of the countess.  She had proved to the world that she could not only collect an army, but do even more—­efficiently command it.