Unconsciously she travelled on, mid bloodshed and warfare, neither hearing, seeing, nor trying to shield herself, simply looking for her children. As the entire country was in rebellion, there were no longer any gendarmes, or mayors, or authorities of any kind. Only such persons as she encountered on the way would she stop to ask. "Have you seen three little children anywhere?" And when the passers-by lifted their heads she would say,-- "Two boys and a girl," and go on to name them: "René-Jean, Gros-Alain, Georgette. Have you not seen them?" And again,-- "The oldest one was four and a half and the youngest twenty months." Presently she would add,-- "Do you know where they are? They have been taken from me." [Illustration 087] People gazed at her, and that was all. Perceiving that she was not understood, she would explain,-- "It is because they are mine. That is the reason." And then seeing the passers-by continue their way, she would stand speechless, tearing her breast with her nails. One day, however, a peasant stopped to listen to her. The worthy man set his wits at work. "Let us see. Did you say three children?" he asked. "Yes." "Two boys?" "And a girl." "And you are looking for them?" "Yes." "I was told that a nobleman had carried off three little children and keeps them with him." "Where is that man? Where are they?" she cried. "Yon must go to the Tourgue," answered the peasant. "And shall I find my children there?" "Very likely you will." "What did you say the name was?" "The Tourgue." "What is the Tourgue?" "It is a place." "Is it a village, a castle, or a farm?" "I never was there." "Is it far?" "I should say so." "In what direction?" "In the direction of Fougères." "Which way shall I go?" "You are now at Ventortes," replied the peasant. "You will leave Ernée on your left and Coxelles on your right; you must pass through Longchamps, and cross the Leroux." The peasant raised his hand and pointed westward. "Keep straight ahead, facing the sunset." She had already started before he had time to lower his arm. He called out to her. "You must be careful; they are fighting over there." She never turned to reply, but walked straight ahead without pausing. [Illustration 088] IX. A PROVINCIAL BASTILE. [Illustration 089] I. LA TOURGUE. The traveller who forty years ago entered the forest of Fougères from the direction of Laignelet and came out towards Parigné, might have beheld on the edge of this dense forest a sinister sight, for emerging from the thicket he would come directly upon the Tourgue, and not the living Tourgue, but the dead one.