"No, no, it is useless; leave it where it is."
"Well, be easy, you will see it before long."
They passed the second night at Catus. Troops kept arriving all night.
"It is lucky we are not going on to Paris," said Chicot, "we should arrive with 100,000 men."
The next morning, by eight o'clock, they were before Cahors, with 1,000 foot soldiers and 2,000 horse.
They found the city in a state of defense, M. de Vezin having heard rumors of the advance.
"Ah!" said the king, "he is warned; that is very annoying."
"We must lay siege in due form, sire," said Mornay; "we expect still about 2,000 men, and that is enough."
"Let us assemble the council and begin the trenches."
Chicot listened to all this in amazement. The pensive air of Henri alone reassured him, for it confirmed his suspicions that he was no warrior. He let every one speak, and said nothing. All at once he raised his head, and said in a commanding tone: