Henry of Guise; or, The States of Blois (Vol. 2 of 3)

Transcriber's Notes: 1. Page scan source: http://archive.org/details/henryofguiseorst02jame (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) 2. Table of Contents added by transcriber.
All was bustle round the door of the little inn of Montigny; twenty or thirty horses employed the hands and attention of as many grooms and stable-boys; and while they put their heads together, and talked over the perfections or imperfections of the beasts they held, sixty or seventy respectable citizens, the great cloth merchant, and the wholesale dealer in millstones, the curé of the little town, the bailiff of the high-justiciary, the ironmonger, the grocer, and the butcher, stood in knots on the outside, discussing more important particulars than the appearance of the horses. The sign of the inn was the Croix de Lorraine , and the name of the Duke of Guise was frequently heard mingling in the conversation of the people round the door.
A great pity, cries one, that his Highness does not stay here the night.
Some say that the King's troops are pursuing him, replied another.
Sure enough he came at full speed, said a third; but I heard his people talk about the reiters.
Oh, we would protect him against the reiters, cried one of the bold citizens of Montigny.
Well, said another, if he be likely to bring the reiters upon us, I think his Highness very wise to go. How could we defend an open town? and he has not twenty men behind him.
I will tell you something, my masters, said another, with an air of importance, and a low bow:-- When my boy was over towards Montreuil to-night, he heard a report of the reiters having been defeated near Gandelu.
Oh, nonsense! replied the courageous burgher; who should defeat them if the Duke was not there?
But hark! cried another, I hear trumpets, as I live. Now, if these should be the King's troops we will defend the Duke at the peril of our lives. But let us look out and see.
Come up to my windows, cried one.