“I agree with you, Bonchamps,” said Henri, “come what, come may, I would make a dash at Paris; we shall be cut to pieces here, while we are waiting for English aid; some of the men would follow us—­most of them I believe; where we meet with friends, they will give us provisions; where we find enemies, we will take them, and pay the owners in republican assignats; they would get no other payment in the market-towns.  I am sorry to disagree with you, Charles, but my voice is for Paris.”

“And mine also, certainly,” said Adolphe, “let our career be short, at any rate let it be glorious; let us march to Paris and strike terror into the tyrants of the Convention.”

“It is difficult to strike terror into tyrants,” said de Lescure quickly, “when the number of their supporters is ten times greater than that of their opponents.”

“Well, Cathelineau,” said Bonchamps, “what do you say? it is for you to settle the question between us; are we to go forward to Paris, or march back to Nantes?”

“I would wish to hear what others say; for myself, I fear that M. de Lescure is right.  I fear the peasants would not follow us so far from their own homes.  What does the Prince de Talmont say?”

“I will have no voice in the matter,” said the Prince.  “I have joined you but lately, and as yet am only fit to follow where others lead.”

“And you, M. d’Elbee?” said Cathelineau.

“I hardly know how to speak,” said d’Elbee, “where the subject is so important.”

“M. d’Elbee is not wont to be so modest,” said Stofflet; “does he not trust that Providence will inspire him with wisdom, when he opens his mouth to give his opinion?”

“Certainly, Stofflet; I trust in that all-seeing eye, at which you are so willing to scoff; but I do not expect that I am to be allowed to see further into futurity than another; however, if I am to express an opinion, I think we should endeavour to march on Paris; if we find that the men desert us, and that others do not join our standards, we must return.”

“And how are we to return,” said de Lescure, “and to whom? think you that we can collect another army in La Vendee, when one has deserted us on the road? will the peasants again trust in us, after they have once left us?  Never If the army dissolves itself in despair, you will never be able to establish it again.”

“Who talks of despair, Charles?” said Henri, “you did not despair when you were thundering against the gates of Saumur with four republicans to one royalist opposed to you; why should you despair now; or why should the army despair; I believe they would go anywhere at the command of their priests, and with the hope of restoring the King to his throne.”

The question was then put to the vote.  De Lescure and four others, voted for attacking Nantes.  Bonchamps, and five others, declared for proceeding at once to Paris, with the view of arresting the present leaders of the Convention.  Cathelineau was then called on to express his opinion, which would of course be decisive.