the possibility of affording effectual relief.  Coligny was not the man to let the grass grow under his feet, after such an appeal in behalf of the principal place in his government.  The safety of France was dependent upon that of St. Quentin.  The bulwark overthrown, Paris was within the next stride of an adventurous enemy.  The Admiral instantly set out, upon the 2d of August, with strong reinforcements.  It was too late.  The English auxiliaries, under Lords Pembroke, Clinton, and Grey, had, in the mean time, effected their junction with the Duke of Savoy, and appeared in the camp before St. Quentin.  The route, by which it had been hoped that the much needed succor could be introduced, was thus occupied and rendered impracticable.  The Admiral, however, in consequence of the urgent nature of the letters received from Brueuil and Teligny, had outstripped, in his anxiety, the movements of his troops.  He reached the city, almost alone and unattended.  Notwithstanding the remonstrances of his officers, he had listened to no voice save the desperate entreaties of the besieged garrison, and had flown before his army.  He now shut himself up in the city, determined to effect its deliverance by means of his skill and experience, or, at least, to share its fate.  As the gates closed upon Coligny, the road was blocked up for his advancing troops.

A few days were passed in making ineffectual sorties, ordered by Coligny for the sake of reconnoitring the country, and of discovering the most practicable means of introducing supplies.  The Constable, meantime, who had advanced with his army to La Fore, was not idle.  He kept up daily communications with the beleagured Admiral, and was determined, if possible, to relieve the city.  There was, however, a constant succession of disappointments.  Moreover, the brave but indiscreet Teligny, who commanded during a temporary illness of the Admiral, saw fit, against express orders, to make an imprudent sortie.  He paid the penalty of his rashness with his life.  He was rescued by the Admiral in person, who, at imminent hazard, brought back the unfortunate officer covered with wounds, into the city, there to die at his father’s feet, imploring forgiveness for his disobedience.  Meantime the garrison was daily growing weaker.  Coligny sent out of the city all useless consumers, quartered all the women in the cathedral and other churches, where they were locked in, lest their terror and their tears should weaken the courage of the garrison; and did all in his power to strengthen the defences of the city, and sustain the resolution of the inhabitants.  Affairs were growing desperate.  It seemed plain that the important city must soon fall, and with it most probably Paris.  One of the suburbs was already in the hands of the enemy.  At last Coligny discovered a route by which he believed it to be still possible to introduce reinforcements.  He communicated the results of his observations to the Constable.