“I am not crying, Henri,” said Agatha, removing her handkerchief from her eyes, which belied her assertion; “but one cannot but think of all the misery which is coming on us:  were there—­were there any women wounded in the battle?”

There were, Mademoiselle; but those who were so, never complained; and those who were killed will never have need to complain again.”

“Were there women killed?”

“There were two, Mademoiselle; one a young girl; the other has left children to avenge her death.”

“That is the worst of all,” said Henri, shuddering.  “Cathelineau, we must keep the women in the houses; our men will not fight if they see their wives and sweethearts bleeding beside them; such a sight would make me throw my sword away myself.”

“It would make you throw away the scabbard, M. Larochejaquelin; but I fear we shall see enough of such sights,” and then he blushed deeply, as he reflected that what he had said would frighten the fair girls sitting near him; “but I beg pardon, ladies—­I—­”

“Don’t mind us, Cathelineau,” said Agatha; “you will not frighten us; our brothers will fight by your side; and you will find that we are worthy of our brothers.  Marie and I will take our chance without repining.”

“And what is to come next, Cathelineau?” said Henri; “we have thrown down the gauntlet now, and we must be ready for all the consequences.  You see, we were preparing for the same work,” and he pointed to the open packets of gunpowder which were lying scattered on the table.  “What are we to do now? we shall soon have swarms of republican soldiers upon us, and it will be well to be prepared.  We look to you for counsel now, you know.”

“Not so, M. Larochejaquelin; it was to seek council that I and Foret came hither; it was to throw ourselves at the feet of my Lord the Marquis, and at yours, and at those of M. de Lescure; and to implore you to join us, to fight with us, and to save us; to lead us against the republicans, and to help us to save our homes.”

“They will, Cathelineau; they will, my excellent friend,” said the old man.  “Henri shall fight with you—­he would not be my son else; and Charles de Lescure there will fight with you for his King as long as the breath is in his body.  The Cure there—­Father Jerome—­will pray for you, and bless your arms; and I believe you’ll find he’ll fight for you too; the whole country are your friends.”

“Yes,” said Henri.  “The whole province, down to the sea, will be with us.  Charette is in the Marais ready to take up arms, the moment the collection of the conscripts is commenced, or before, if it be necessary.  M. Bonchamps, who is now at Angers, will join us at once, and give us what we so much want—­military skill.  The Prince de Talmont is with us, M. Fleuriot, and M. d’Autachamps, every gentleman of standing in the country will help the good cause; my friend here, Adolphe Denot, will fight for us to the last drop of his blood.”