use alive than dead. And to be beaten is not to be disgraced. Had you
seen the Count of St. Cyr die you would not use that word. But what of
our chief? Is he seriously wounded?"

"His jaw is broken by a pistol-shot."

"Yet I warrant he has not given way to despair!"

"No," he replied with something of his old brightness, "a Coligny does
not despair."

"Nor does a Bellièvre!" I returned smiling. "We shall rally the runaways
in a few days, and Coligny will command an army again."

The defeat was, however, a heavier one than I guessed, and only Anjou's
folly saved us from utter destruction. Instead of hunting us down with
his whole force he turned aside to besiege St. Jean d'Angely, and thus
gave our leaders time to form fresh plans. Strong garrisons were sent to
defend Niort and Angoulême, while the main part of the beaten army
retired to Rochelle.

It was a dismal entry into the town. The citizens came to meet us, the
men sullen and downcast, the women white-faced and weeping. Many were
searching eagerly among the war-worn band for the dear ones they would
never meet again on earth. On that dreadful day scores of women learned
for the first time that they were already widowed, and that their
helpless little ones were fatherless.

Opposite the hotel I perceived Jeanne and my mother, and on seeing me
their faces lit up with happy smiles. I could not go to them then, but