"Yes; but these gentlemen in Paris have countermanded the order." "Without informing you?" cried the marquis. "Don't they know that men are shot for less than that?" "I forgave them," said Petit-Pierre, stretching out her hand. "Besides, those who did it are civilians, not soldiers." "This counter-order and delay are most unfortunate," said Gaspard, in a low tone; "had I known of it--" "What?" asked Petit-Pierre. "I might not have agreed in the opinion of that peasant." "Oh, nonsense!" cried Petit-Pierre; "you heard what he said, dear Gaspard,--when the wine is drawn it is best to drink it. Let us drink it gayly, gentlemen, even though it be that with which the lord of Beaumanoir refreshed himself at the fight of the gallant Thirty. Come, Marquis de Souday, find me pen, ink, and paper in this farmhouse where your future son-in-law has given me hospitality." The marquis hastened to search for what Petit-Pierre wanted; and while opening drawers and closets and rummaging the clothes and linen of the farmer, he contrived to wring Jean Oullier's hand and whisper:-- "You talked gold, my brave _gars_; never one of your tally-hos rejoiced my heart like that 'boot-and-saddle' you've just rung out." Then, having found what he wanted he carried it to Petit-Pierre. The latter dipped the pen into the ink-bottle, and in her firm, bold, large handwriting, she wrote as follows:-- MY DEAR MARÉCHAL,--I remain among you. Be so good as to come to me. I remain, inasmuch as my presence has already compromised many of my faithful followers, and it would be cowardice on my part to abandon them. Besides, I hope, in spite of this unfortunate counter-order, that God will grant us victory. Farewell, Monsieur le maréchal; do not give in your resignation, for Petit-Pierre will not give in hers. PETIT-PIERRE. "And now," said Petit-Pierre, folding the letter, "what day shall we fix for the uprising?" "Thursday, May 31," said the marquis, thinking that the nearest time was the best, "if that is satisfactory to you." "No," said Gaspard; "excuse me, Monsieur le marquis, but it seems to me best to choose the night of Sunday, the 3d to the 4th of June. On Sunday, after high mass, the peasants of all the parishes assemble in the porches of their different churches, and the captains will have an opportunity to communicate the order without exciting suspicion." "Your knowledge of the manners and customs of this region is a great help, my friend," said Petit-Pierre, "and I agree to your advice. Let the date be therefore the night of the 3d to the 4th of June." Whereupon, she began at once to write the following order:-- Having resolved not to leave the provinces of the West, but to confide myself to their fidelity,--a fidelity so often proved,--I rely upon you, monsieur, to take all necessary measures in your division for the call to arms which is appointed to take place during the night of the 3d and 4th of June.