"Are you both ready for service again?" the Count de la Noue, who had sent for them to come to his lodgings3, asked on the evening of the third day after the capture of Orleans.
"Quite ready," Francois replied. "The horses have all recovered from their fatigue4, and are in condition for a fresh start. Are we bound for Paris, may I ask?"
"No, Francois, we are going on a recruiting tour: partly because we want men, but more to encourage our people by the sight of an armed party, and to show the Catholics that they had best stay their hands, and leave us alone for the present.
"I take a hundred men with me, including your troop and my own, which I hope largely to increase. Sometimes we shall keep in a body, sometimes break up into two or three parties. Always we shall move rapidly, so as to appear where least expected, and so spread uneasiness as to where we may next appear.
"In the south we are, as I hear, holding our own. I shall therefore go first to Brittany and, if all is quiet, there raise another fifty men. We shall travel through Touraine and Anjou as we go, and then sweep round by Normandy and La Perche, and so up to Paris.
"So you see, we shall put a good many miles of ground under our feet, before we join the Prince. In that way not only shall we swell5 our numbers and encourage our friends, but we shall deter6 many of the Catholic gentry7 from sending their retainers to join the army of the Guises8."
"It will be a pleasant ride, cousin," Francois said, "and I hope that we shall have an opportunity of doing some good work, before we reach Paris; and especially that we shall not arrive there too late to join in the coming battle."
"I do not think that there is much fear of that," the Count replied. "The Prince has not sufficient strength to attack Paris. And for my part, I think that it would have been far better, when it was found that his plan of seizing the court had failed, to have drawn10 off at once. He can do nothing against Paris, and his presence before it will only incite11 the inhabitants against us, and increase their animosity. It would have been better to have applied12 the force in reducing several strong towns where, as at Orleans, the bulk of the inhabitants are favourable13 to us. In this way we should weaken the enemy, strengthen ourselves, and provide places of refuge for our people in case of need. However, it is too late for such regrets. The Prince is there, and we must take him what succour we can.
"I was pleased with you both, in the fights upon the day we entered. You both behaved like brave gentlemen and good swordsmen. I expected no less from you, Francois; but I was surprised to find your English cousin so skilled with his weapon."
"He is a better swordsman than I am," Francois said; "which is a shame to me, since he is two years my junior."
"Is he indeed!" the Count said in surprise. "I had taken him to be at least your equal in years. Let me think, you are but eighteen and some months?"
"But a month over eighteen," Francois said, "and Philip has but just passed sixteen."
"You will make a doughty14 warrior15 when you attain16 your full strength, Philip. I saw you put aside a thrust from an officer in the melee17, and strike him from his horse with a backhanded cut with your sword, dealt with a vigour18 that left nothing to be desired."
"I know that I am too fond of using the edge, sir," Philip said, modestly. "My English masters taught me to do so and, although my French instructors19 at home were always impressing upon me that the point was more deadly than the edge, I cannot break myself altogether from the habit."
"There is no need to do so," the Count said. "Of late the point has come into fashion among us, and doubtless it has advantages; but often a downright blow will fetch a man from his saddle, when you would in vain try to find, with the point, a joint20 in his armour21. But you must have been well taught, indeed, if you are a better swordsman than my cousin; whose powers I have tried at Laville, and found him to be an excellent swordsman, for his age."
"I have had many masters," Philip said. "Both my French and English teachers were good swordsmen; and it was seldom a Frenchman who had been in the wars passed through Canterbury, that my uncle did not engage him to give me a few lessons. Thus, being myself very anxious to become a good swordsman, and being fond of exercises, I naturally picked up a great many tricks with the sword."
"You could not have spent your time better, if you had an intention of coming over to take part in our troubles here. Your grandfather, De Moulins, was said to be one of the best swordsmen in France; and you may have inherited some of his skill. I own that I felt rather uneasy at the charge of two such young cockerels, though I could not refuse when the countess, my aunt, begged me to let you ride with me; but in future I shall feel easy about you, seeing that you can both take your own parts stoutly22.
"Well, order your men to be ready and mounted, in the marketplace, at half-past five. The west gate will be opened for us to ride forth24 at six."
Philip had every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of his new servant. In the town, as at Laville, Pierre behaved circumspectly25 and quietly; assuming a grave countenance26 in accordance with his surroundings, keeping his arms and armour brightly polished, and waiting at table as orderly as if he had been used to nothing else all his life.
"I am glad to hear it, sir," Pierre said, when Philip informed him that they would start on the following morning. "I love not towns; and here, where there is nought27 to do but to polish your armour, and stand behind your chair at dinner, the time goes mighty28 heavily."
"You will have no cause to grumble29 on that account, Pierre, I fancy, for your ride will be a long one. I do not expect we shall often have a roof over our heads."
"All the better, sir, so long as the ride finishes before the cold weather sets in. Fond as I am of sleeping with the stars over me; I own that, when the snow is on the ground, I prefer a roof over my head."
At six o'clock the party started. Only two other gentlemen rode with it, both of whom were, like the Count, from Brittany. The little group chatted gaily30 as they rode along. Unless they happened to encounter parties of Catholics going north, to join the royal army, there was, so far as they knew, no chance of their meeting any body of the enemy on their westward31 ride.
The towns of Vendome, Le Mans, and Laval were all strongly Catholic, and devoted32 to the Guises. These must be skirted. Rennes in Brittany must also be avoided, for all these towns were strongly garrisoned33, and could turn out a force far too strong for La Noue to cope with.
Upon the march, Pierre was not only an invaluable34 servant but the life of the troop; he being full of fun and frolic, and making even the gravest soldier smile at his sallies. When they halted, he was indefatigable35 in seeing after Philip's comforts. He cut boughs36 of the trees best suited for the purpose of making a couch, and surprised his master and Francois by his ingenuity37 in turning out excellent dishes from the scantiest38 materials. He would steal away in the night to procure39 fowls41 and eggs from neighbouring farmhouses43 and, although Philip's orders were that he was to pay the full price for everything he required, Philip found, when he gave an account a fortnight later of how he had spent the money he had given him, that there was no mention of any payment for these articles. When he rated Pierre for this, the latter replied:
"I did not pay for them, sir. Not in order to save you money, but for the sake of the farmers and their families. It would have been worse than cruelty to have aroused them from sleep. The loss of a fowl40 or two, and of a dozen eggs, were nothing to them. If they missed them at all, they would say that a fox had been there, and they would think no more of it. If, on the other hand, I had waked them up in the middle of the night to pay for these trifles, they would have been scared out of their life; thinking, when I knocked, that some band of robbers was at the door. In their anger at being thus disturbed they would have been capable of shooting me; and it is well nigh certain that, at any rate, they would have refused to sell their chickens and eggs at that time of the night.
"So you see, sir, I acted for the best for all parties. Two chickens out of scores was a loss not worth thinking of, while the women escaped the panic and terror that my waking them up would have caused them. When I can pay I will assuredly do so, since that is your desire; but I am sure you will see that, under such circumstances, it would be a crime to wake people from their sleep for the sake of a few sous."
Philip laughed.
"Besides, sir," Pierre went on, "these people were either Huguenots or Catholics. If they were Huguenots, they would be right glad to minister to those who are fighting on their behalf. If they were Catholics, they would rob and murder us without mercy. Therefore they may think themselves fortunate, indeed, to escape at so trifling44 a cost from the punishment they deserve."
"That is all very well, Pierre; but the orders are strict against plundering45 and, if the Admiral were to catch you, you would get a sound thrashing with a stirrup leather."
"I have risked worse than that, sir, many times in my life; and if I am caught, I will give them leave to use the strap47. But you will see, Monsieur Philip, that if the war goes on these niceties will soon become out of fashion. At present the Huguenot lords and gentlemen have money in their pockets to pay for what they want, but after a time money will become scarce. They will see that the armies of the king live on plunder46, as armies generally do; and when cash runs short, they will have to shut their eyes and let the men provide themselves as best they can."
"I hope the war won't last long enough for that, Pierre. But at any rate, we have money in our pockets at present, and can pay for what we require; though I do not pretend that it is a serious matter to take a hen out of a coop, especially when you can't get it otherwise, without, as you say, alarming a whole family. However, remember my orders are that everything we want is to be paid for."
"I understand, sir, and you will see that the next time we reckon up accounts every item shall be charged for, so that there will be nothing on your conscience."
Philip laughed again.
"I shall be content if that is the case, Pierre; and I hope that your conscience will be as clear as mine will be."
On the third of November, just a month after leaving Orleans, De La Noue, with his troop augmented48 to three hundred, joined the Prince of Conde before Paris. During the interval49, he had traversed the west of France by the route he had marked out for himself, had raised fifty more men among the Huguenots of Brittany, and had been joined on the route by many gentlemen with parties of their retainers.
Several bodies of Catholics had been met and dispersed50. Two or three small towns, where the Huguenots had been ill treated and massacred, were entered. The ringleaders in the persecutions had been hung, and the authorities had been compelled to pay a heavy fine, under threat of the whole town being committed to the flames. Everywhere he passed La Noue had caused proclamations to be scattered52 far and wide, to the effect that any ill treatment of Huguenots would be followed by his return, and by the heaviest punishment being inflicted53 upon all who molested54 them.
And so, having given great encouragement to the Huguenots, and scattered terror among their persecutors; having ridden great distances, and astonished the people of the western provinces by his energy and activity; La Noue joined the Prince of Conde, with three hundred men. He was heartily55 welcomed on his arrival at the Huguenot camp at Saint Denis.
Francois de Laville and Philip Fletcher had thoroughly56 enjoyed the expedition. They had often been in the saddle from early morning to late at night; and had felt the benefit of having each two horses as, when the party halted for a day or two, they were often sent out with half their troop to visit distant places--to see friends; to bring into the camp magistrates57, and others, who had been foremost in stirring up the people to attack the Huguenots; to enter small towns, throw open prisons and carry off the Huguenots confined there; and occasionally to hang the leaders of local massacres58. In these cases they were always accompanied by one or other of the older leaders, in command of the party.
Their spare chargers enabled them to be on horseback every day, while half the troop rested in turn. Sometimes their halts were made in small towns and villages, but more often they bivouacked in the open country; being thus, the Count considered, more watchful59 and less apt to be surprised.
On their return from these expeditions, Pierre always had a meal prepared for them. In addition to the rations60 of meat and bread, chicken and eggs, he often contrived61 to serve up other and daintier food. His old poaching habits were not forgotten. As soon as the camp was formed, he would go out and set snares62 for hares, traps for birds, and lay lines in the nearest stream; while fish and game, of some sort, were generally added to the fare.
"Upon my word," the Count, who sometimes rode with them, said one evening, "this varlet of yours, Master Philip, is an invaluable fellow; and Conde, himself, cannot be better served than you are. I have half a mind to take him away from you, and to appoint him Provider-in-General to our camp. I warrant me he never learned thus to provide a table, honestly; he must have all the tricks of a poacher at his fingers' end."
"I fancy, when he was young, he had to shift a good deal for himself, sir," Philip replied.
"I thought so," La Noue laughed. "I marked him once or twice, behind your chair at Orleans; and methought, then, that he looked too grave to be honest; and there was a twinkle in his eye, that accorded badly with the gravity of his face, and his sober attire63.
"Well, there can be no doubt that, in war, a man who has a spice of the rogue64 in him makes the best of servants; provided he is but faithful to his master, and respects his goods, if he does those of no one else. Your rogue is necessarily a man of resources; and one of that kind will, on a campaign, make his master comfortable, where one with an over-scrupulous varlet will well-nigh starve. I had such a man, when I was with Brissac in Northern Italy; but one day he went out, and never returned. Whether a provost marshal did me the ill service of hanging him, or whether he was shot by the peasants, I never knew; but I missed him sorely, and often went fasting to bed, when I should have had a good supper had he been with me.
"It is lucky for you both that you haven't to depend upon that grim-visaged varlet of Francois'. I have no doubt that the countess thought she was doing well by my cousin, when she appointed him to go with him, and I can believe that he would give his life for him; but for all that, if you had to depend upon him for your meals, you would fare badly, indeed."
De la Noue was much disappointed, on joining the Prince, at finding that the latter's force had not swollen65 to larger dimensions. He had with him, after the arrival of the force the Count had brought from the west, but two thousand horse. Of these a large proportion were gentlemen, attended only by a few personal retainers. A fifth only were provided with lances, and a large number had no defensive66 armour. Of foot soldiers he had about the same number as of horse, and of these about half were armed with arquebuses, the rest being pikemen.
The force under the command of the Constable67 de Montmorency, inside the walls of Paris, was known to be enormously superior in strength; and the Huguenots were unable to understand why he did not come out to give them battle. They knew, however, that Count Aremberg was on his way from the Netherlands, with seventeen hundred horse, sent by the Duke of Alva to the support of the Catholics; and they supposed that Montmorency was waiting for this reinforcement.
On the 9th of November news arrived that Aremberg was approaching, and D'Andelot, with five hundred horse and eight hundred of the best-trained arquebusiers, was despatched to seize Poissy, and so prevent Aremberg entering Paris.
The next morning the Constable, learning that Conde had weakened his army by this detachment, marched out from Paris. Seldom have two European armies met with a greater disparity of numbers; for while Conde had but fifteen hundred horse and twelve hundred foot, the Constable marched out with sixteen thousand infantry68, of whom six thousand were Swiss, and three thousand horse. He had eighteen pieces of artillery69, while Conde was without a single cannon70.
As soon as this force was seen pouring out from the gates of Paris, the Huguenot trumpets71 blew to arms. All wore over their coats or armour a white scarf, the distinguishing badge of the Huguenots; and the horsemen were divided into three bodies. De la Noue and his following formed part of that under the personal command of Conde.
"We longed to be here in time for this battle, Philip," Francois said; "but I think this is rather more than we bargained for. They must be nearly ten to one against us. There is one thing: although the Swiss are good soldiers, the rest of their infantry are for the most part Parisians, and though these gentry have proved themselves very valiant72 in the massacre51 of unarmed Huguenot men, women, and children, I have no belief in their valour, when they have to meet men with swords in their hands. I would, however, that D'Andelot, with his five hundred horse and eight hundred arquebusiers, all picked men, were here with us; even if Aremberg, with his seventeen hundred horse, were ranged under the Constable.
"As it is, I can hardly believe that Conde and the Admiral will really lead us against that huge mass. I should think that they can but be going to manoeuvre73 so as to fall back in good order, and show a firm face to the enemy. Their footmen would then be of no use to them and, as I do not think their horse are more than twice our strength, we might turn upon them when we get them away from their infantry, and beyond the range of their cannon."
As soon, however, as the troops were fairly beyond the gates of Saint Denis, the leaders placed themselves at the head of the three columns and, with a few inspiring words, led them forward. Coligny was on the right; La Rochefoucauld, Genlis, and other leaders on the left; and the column commanded by Conde, himself, in the centre.
Conde, with a number of nobles and gentlemen, rode in front of the line. Behind them came the men-at-arms with lances, while those armed only with swords and pistols followed.
Coligny, on the right, was most advanced, and commenced the battle by charging furiously down upon the enemy's left.
Facing Conde were the great mass of the Catholic infantry but, without a moment's hesitation74, the little band of but five hundred horse charged right down upon them. Fortunately for them it was the Parisians, and not the Swiss, upon whom their assault fell. The force and impetus75 of their rush was too much for the Parisians, who broke at the onset76, threw away their arms, and fled in a disorderly mob towards the gates of Paris.
"Never mind those cowards," the Prince shouted, "there is nobler game!" and, followed by his troop, he rode at the Constable; who, with a thousand horse, had taken his post behind the infantry. Before this body of cavalry78 could advance to meet the Huguenots, the latter were among them, and a desperate hand-to-hand melee took place. Gradually the Huguenots won their way into the mass; although the old Constable, fighting as stoutly as the youngest soldier, was setting a splendid example to his troops.
Robert Stuart, a Scotch79 gentleman in Conde's train, fought his way up to him and demanded his surrender. The Constable's reply was a blow with the hilt of the sword which nearly struck Stuart from his horse, knocking out three of his teeth. A moment later the Constable was struck by a pistol ball, but whether it was fired by Stuart himself, or one of the gentlemen by his side, was never known. The Constable fell, but the fight still raged.
The Royalists, recovered from the first shock, were now pressing their adversaries80. Conde's horse was shot by a musket81 ball and, in falling, pinned him to the ground so that he was unable to extricate82 himself. De la Noue, followed by Francois and Philip, who were fighting by his side, and other gentlemen, saw his peril83 and, rushing forward, drove back Conde's assailants. Two gentlemen, leaping from their horses, extricated84 the Prince from his fallen steed and, after hard fighting, placed him on a horse before one of them; and the troops, repulsing85 every attack made on them, fell slowly back to Saint Denis.
On the right, Coligny had more than held his own against the enemy; but on the left the Huguenots, encountering Marshal de Montmorency, the eldest86 son of the Constable, and suffering heavily from the arquebus and artillery fire, had been repulsed87; and the Catholics here had gained considerable advantages. The flight of a large portion of the infantry, and the disorder77 caused in the cavalry by the charges of Conde and Coligny, prevented the Marshal from following up his advantage; and as the Huguenots fell back upon Saint Denis the Royalists retired88 into Paris, where the wounded Constable had already been carried.
Victory was claimed by both sides, but belonged to neither. Each party had lost about four hundred men, a matter of much greater consequence to the Huguenots than to the Catholics, the more so as a large proportion of the slain89 on their side were gentlemen of rank. Upon the other hand the loss of the Constable, who died next day, paralysed for a time the Catholic forces.
A staunch and even bigoted90 Catholic, and opposed to any terms of toleration being granted to the Huguenots, he was opposed to the ambition of the Guises; and was the head of the Royalist party, as distinguished91 from that of Lorraine. Catharine, who was the moving spirit of the court, hesitated to give the power he possessed92, as Constable, into hands that might use it against her; and persuaded the king to bestow93 the supreme94 command of the army upon his brother, Henri, Duke of Anjou. The divisions in the court, caused by the death of the Constable and the question of his successor, prevented any fresh movements of the army; and enabled the Prince of Conde, after being rejoined by D'Andelot's force, to retire unmolested three days after the battle; the advanced guard of the Royalists having been driven back into Paris by D'Andelot on his return when, in his disappointment at being absent from the battle, he fell fiercely upon the enemy, and pursued them hotly to the gates, burning several windmills close under the walls.
On the evening of the battle De la Noue had presented his cousin and Philip to the Prince, speaking in high terms of the bravery they displayed in the battle, and they had received Conde's thanks for the part they had taken in his rescue from the hands of the Catholics. The Count himself had praised them highly, but had gently chided Francois for the rashness he had shown.
"It is well to be brave, Francois, but that is not enough. A man who is brave without being prudent95 may, with fortune, escape as you have done from a battle without serious wounds; but he cannot hope for such fortune many times, and his life would be a very short one. Several times today you were some lengths ahead of me in the melee; and once or twice I thought you lost, for I was too closely pressed, myself, to render you assistance. It was the confusion, alone, that saved you.
"Your life is a valuable one. You are the head of an old family, and have no right to throw your life away. Nothing could have been more gallant96 than your behaviour, Francois; but you must learn to temper bravery by prudence97.
"Your cousin showed his English blood and breeding. When we charged he was half a length behind me, and at that distance he remained through the fight; except when I was very hotly pressed, when he at once closed up beside me. More than once I glanced round at him, and he was fighting with the coolness of a veteran. It was he who called my attention to Conde's fall which, in the melee, might have passed unnoticed by me until it was too late to save him. He kept his pistols in his holsters throughout the fray98; and it was only when they pressed us so hotly, as we were carrying off the Prince, that he used them; and, as I observed, with effect. I doubt if there was a pistol save his undischarged, at that time. They were a reserve that he maintained for the crisis of the fight.
"Master Philip, I trust that you will have but small opportunity for winning distinction in this wretched struggle; but were it to last, which heaven forbid, I should say that you would make a name for yourself; as assuredly will my cousin Francois, if he were to temper his enthusiasm with coolness."
The evening before the Huguenots retired from Saint Denis, the Count sent for Francois and his cousin.
"As you will have heard," he said, "we retire tomorrow morning. We have done all, and more than all, that could have been expected from such a force. We have kept Paris shut up for ten weeks, and have maintained our position in face of a force, commanded by the Constable of France, of well-nigh tenfold our strength.
"We are now going to march east, to effect a junction99 with a force under Duke Casimir. He is to bring us over six thousand horse, three thousand foot, and four cannon. The march will be toilsome; but the Admiral's skill will, I doubt not, enable us to elude100 the force with which the enemy will try to bar our way.
"The Admiral is sending off the Sieur D'Arblay, whom you both know, to the south of France, in order that he may explain to our friends there the reason for our movement to the east; for otherwise the news, that we have broken up from before Paris, may cause great discouragement. I have proposed to him that you should both accompany him. You have frequently ridden under his orders, during our expedition to the west, and he knows your qualities.
"He has gladly consented to receive you as his companions. It will be pleasant for him to have two gentlemen with him. He takes with him his own following, of eight men; six of his band fell in the battle. The Admiral is of opinion that this is somewhat too small a force for safety; but if you each take the four men-at-arms who ride behind you, it will double his force. Two of yours fell in the fight, I believe, Francois."
"I have taken two others from the troop to fill their places."
"Your men all came out of it, Philip, did they not?"
"Yes, sir. They were all wounded, but none of them seriously, and are all fit to ride."
"You will understand, Francois, that in separating you from myself I am doing so for your sakes, alone. It will be the Admiral's policy to avoid fighting. Winter is close upon us, and the work will be hard and toilsome; and doubtless, ere we effect a junction with the Germans, very many will succumb101 to cold and hardship. You are not as yet inured102 to this work, and I would rather not run the risk of your careers ending from such causes.
"If I thought there was a prospect103 of fighting I should keep you with me but, being as it is, I think it better you should accompany the Sieur D'Arblay. The mission is a dangerous one, and will demand activity, energy, and courage, all of which you possess; but in the south you will have neither cold nor famine to contend with, and far greater opportunities, maybe, of gaining credit than you would in an army like this where, as they have proved to the enemy, every man is brave.
"Another reason, I may own, is that in this case I consider your youth to be an advantage. We could hardly have sent one gentleman on such a mission, alone; and with two of equal rank and age, each with eight followers104, difficulties and dissensions might have arisen; while you would both be content to accept the orders of the Sieur D'Arblay without discussion, and to look up to him as the leader of your party."
Although they would rather have remained with the army, the lads at once thanked the Count; and stated their willingness to accompany the Sieur D'Arblay, whom they both knew and liked--being, like De la Noue, cheerful and of good spirits; not deeming it necessary to maintain at all times a stern and grave aspect, or a ruggedness105 of manner, as well as sombre garments.
De la Noue at once took them across to D'Arblay's tent.
"My cousin and his kinsman106 will gladly ride with you, and place themselves under your orders, D'Arblay. I can warmly commend them to you. Though they are young I can guarantee that you will find them, if it comes to blows, as useful as most men ten years their senior; and on any mission that you may intrust to them, I think that you can rely upon their discretion107; but of that you will judge for yourself, when you know somewhat more of them. They will take with them eight men-at-arms, all of whom will be stout23 fellows; so that, with your own men, you can traverse the country without fear of any party you are likely to fall in with."
"I shall be glad to have your cousin and his kinsman with me," D'Arblay said courteously108. "Between you and I, De la Noue, I would infinitely109 rather have two bright young fellows of spirit than one of our tough old warriors110, who deem it sinful to smile, and have got a text handy for every occasion. It is not a very bright world for us, at present; and I see not the use of making it sadder, by always wearing a gloomy countenance."
The next morning the party started, and rode south. Avoiding the places held by the Catholics, they visited many of the chateaux of Huguenot gentlemen, to whom D'Arblay communicated the instructions he had received, from the Admiral, as to the assemblage of troops, and the necessity for raising such a force as would compel the Royalists to keep a considerable army in the south, and so lessen112 the number who would gather to oppose his march eastward113.
After stopping for a short time in Navarre, and communicating with some of the principal leaders in that little kingdom, they turned eastward. They were now passing through a part of the country where party spirit was extremely bitter, and were obliged to use some caution, as they were charged to communicate with men who were secretly well affected114 to the cause; but who, living within reach of the bigoted parliament of Toulouse, dared not openly avow115 their faith.
Toulouse had, from the time the troubles first began, distinguished itself for the ferocity with which it had persecuted116 the Huguenots; yielding obedience117 to the various royal edicts of toleration most reluctantly, and sometimes openly disobeying them. Thus, for many miles round the city, those of the Reformed faith lived in continual dread118; conducting their worship with extreme secrecy119, when some pastor120 in disguise visited the neighbourhood, and outwardly conforming to the rites121 of the Catholic church. Many, however, only needed the approach of a Huguenot army to throw off the mask and take up arms; and it was with these that D'Arblay was specially9 charged to communicate. Great caution was needed in doing this, as the visit of a party of Huguenots would, if denounced, have called down upon them the vengeance122 of the parliament; who were animated123 not only by hatred124 of the Huguenots, but by the desire of enriching themselves by the confiscation125 of the estates and goods of those they persecuted.
The visits, consequently, were generally made after nightfall; the men-at-arms being left a mile or two away. D'Arblay found everywhere a fierce desire to join in the struggle, restrained only by the fear of the consequences to wives and families, during absence.
"Send an army capable of besieging126 and capturing Toulouse, and there is not one of us who will not rise and give his blood for the cause, putting into the field every man he can raise, and spending his last crown; but unless such a force approaches, we dare not move. We know that we are strictly127 watched and that, on the smallest pretext128, we and our families would be dragged to prison. Tell the Admiral that our hearts and our prayers are with him, and that nothing in the world would please us so much as to be fighting under his banner; but until there is a hope of capturing Toulouse, we dare not move."
Such was the answer at every castle, chateau111, and farmhouse42 where they called. Many of the Huguenots contributed not only the money they had in their houses, but their plate and jewels; for money was, above all things, needed to fulfil the engagements the Admiral had made with the German mercenaries who were on their march to join him.
Sometimes Philip and Francois both accompanied their leader on his visits. Sometimes they went separately, for they were always able to obtain, from the leading men, the names of neighbours who were favourable to the cause. In the way of money they succeeded beyond their expectations for, as the gentlemen in the district had not, like those where the parties were more equally divided, impoverished129 themselves by placing their retainers in the field, they were able to contribute comparatively large sums to the cause they had at heart.
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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lodged
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lodgings
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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5
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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6
deter
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| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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7
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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8
guises
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| n.外观，伪装( guise的名词复数 )v.外观，伪装( guise的第三人称单数 ) | |
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9
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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10
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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incite
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| v.引起，激动，煽动 | |
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12
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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13
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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doughty
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| adj.勇猛的，坚强的 | |
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15
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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16
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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17
melee
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| n.混战；混战的人群 | |
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18
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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19
instructors
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| 指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 ) | |
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20
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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21
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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22
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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24
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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25
circumspectly
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| adv.慎重地，留心地 | |
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26
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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27
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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28
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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29
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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30
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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31
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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33
garrisoned
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| 卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防 | |
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34
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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35
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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36
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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37
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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38
scantiest
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| adj.（大小或数量）不足的，勉强够的( scanty的最高级 ) | |
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39
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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40
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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41
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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42
farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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43
farmhouses
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| n.农舍，农场的主要住房( farmhouse的名词复数 ) | |
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44
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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45
plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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46
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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47
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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48
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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49
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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50
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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51
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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52
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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53
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
molested
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| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
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55
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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56
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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57
magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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58
massacres
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| 大屠杀( massacre的名词复数 )； 惨败 | |
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59
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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60
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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61
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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62
snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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63
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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64
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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65
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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66
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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67
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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68
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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69
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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70
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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71
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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72
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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73
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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74
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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75
impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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76
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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77
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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78
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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79
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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80
adversaries
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| n.对手，敌手( adversary的名词复数 ) | |
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81
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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82
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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83
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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84
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
repulsing
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| v.击退( repulse的现在分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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86
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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87
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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88
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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89
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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90
bigoted
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| adj.固执己见的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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91
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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92
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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93
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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94
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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95
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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96
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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97
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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98
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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99
junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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100
elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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101
succumb
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| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
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102
inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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103
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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104
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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105
ruggedness
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| 险峻，粗野； 耐久性； 坚固性 | |
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106
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 | |
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107
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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108
courteously
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| adv.有礼貌地，亲切地 | |
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109
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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110
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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111
chateau
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| n.城堡，别墅 | |
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112
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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113
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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114
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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115
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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116
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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117
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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118
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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119
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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120
pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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121
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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122
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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123
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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124
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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125
confiscation
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| n. 没收, 充公, 征收 | |
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126
besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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127
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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128
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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129
impoverished
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| adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化 | |
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