s its name to the English, by whom it was built
in the fourteenth century, during their occupation of Brittany. Before
entering it Mademoiselle de Verneuil was witness of a strange scene
of this strange war, to which, however, she gave little attention; she
feared to be recognized by some of her enemies, and this dread hastened
her steps. Five or six thousand peasants were camping in a field.
Their clothing was not in any degree warlike; in fact, this tumultuous
assembly resembled that of a great fair. Some attention was needed to
even observe that these Bretons were armed, for their goatskins were so
made as to hide their guns, and the weapons that were chiefly visible
were the scythes with which some of the men had armed themselves while
awaiting the distribution of muskets. Some were eating and drinking,
others were fighting and quarrelling in loud tones, but the greater
part were sleeping on the ground. An officer in a red uniform attracted
Mademoiselle de Verneuil's attention, and she supposed him to belong to
the English service. At a little distance two other officers seemed to
be trying to teach a few Chouans, more intelligent than the rest, to
handle two cannon, which apparently formed the whole artillery of the
royalist army. Shouts hailed the coming of the gars of Marignay, who
were recognized by their banner. Under cover of the tumult which the
new-comers and the priests excited in the camp, Mademoiselle de Verneuil
was able to make her way past it and into the town without danger. She
stopped at a plain-looking inn not far from the building where the ball
was to be given. The town was so full of strangers that she could only
obtain one miserable room. When she was safely in it Galope-Chopine
brought Francine the box which contained the ball dress, and having done
so he stood stock-still in an attitude of indescribable irresolution. At
any other time Mademoiselle de Verneuil would have been much amused to
see what a Breton peasant can be like when he leaves his native parish;
but now she broke the charm by opening her purse and producing four
crowns of six francs each, which she gave him.

"Take it," she said, "and if you wish to oblige me, you will go straight
back to Fougeres without entering the camp or drinking any cider."

The Chouan, amazed at her liberality, looked first at the crowns (which
he had taken) and then at Mademoiselle de Verneuil; but she made him a
sign with her hand and he disappeared.