Bertha shrugged her shoulders disdainfully; but the blow nevertheless reached her heart. A feeling that was almost hatred to the old Vendéan came over her.
"Employ yourself in collecting your men, Jean Oullier," she said.
"I obey you, mademoiselle," replied the Chouan.
He went toward the gate. Bertha returned to the house, without giving him another look. But before leaving the château, Jean Oullier called up the peasant who had brought the news.
"Before the soldiers got to Picaut's house did you see any one else go in there?"
"To Joseph's place, or Pascal's?"
"Pascal's."
"Yes, I saw one man go in."
"Who was he?"
"The mayor of La Logerie."