But Petit-Pierre had heard the opening of the door. She rose and addressed those who stood there.
"Come in, gentlemen, and forgive me for disturbing you so early," she said; "but I have important determinations to announce to you."
"On the contrary, it is we who ought to ask your Royal Highness's pardon for not foreseeing her wishes and for having slept while we might have been useful to her," said Louis Renaud.
"A truce to compliments, my friend," interrupted Petit-Pierre. "That appanage of royalty is ill-timed now that royalty is deserted and engulfed for the second time."
"What can you mean?"
"I mean, my good and dear friends," resumed Petit-Pierre turning her back to the fireplace, while the Vendéans stood in a circle round her,--"I mean that I have called you to me that I may now give back your promises and bid you farewell."
"Give back our promises! bid us farewell!" cried her astonished partisans. "Your Royal Highness is surely not thinking of leaving us?"
Then, all together, looking at each other, they cried out:--
"It is impossible!"
"Nevertheless, I must."