"My conclusion is, Monsieur Petit-Pierre," said the Vendéan, "that when the wine is drawn it is best to drink it; we have taken arms, and having taken them, we ought to fight without delay."
"Let us fight!" cried Petit-Pierre, enthusiastically. "The voice of the people is the voice of God. I have faith in that of Jean Oullier."
"Let us fight!" echoed the marquis.
"Let us fight!" said Louis Renaud.
"Well then, what day shall we decide on for the first outbreak?" asked Petit-Pierre.
"Why," said Gaspard, "I thought it was decided for the 24th!"
"Yes; but these gentlemen in Paris have countermanded the order."
"Without informing you?" cried the marquis. "Don't they know that men are shot for less than that?"
"I forgave them," said Petit-Pierre, stretching out her hand. "Besides, those who did it are civilians, not soldiers."
"This counter-order and delay are most unfortunate," said Gaspard, in a low tone; "had I known of it--"