"Well armed, poorly equipped. I looked out for the weapons first of all, as the most essential thing. As to their equipment, as I am a very disinterested youth, and as I am moved principally by my affection for Messieurs les Princes, I came rather short of money, Monsieur Lenet having given me but ten thousand livres."
"You have enrolled a hundred and fifty men with ten thousand livres?"
"Yes, monseigneur."
"That's a marvellous achievement."
"I have methods known to myself alone, monseigneur, to which I have resorted."
"Where are your men?"
"They are here; you will see a fine company, monseigneur, especially in respect to their morals,—all men of rank; not a single nobody among them."
Monsieur de La Rochefoucauld walked to the window, and saw in the street a hundred and fifty individuals of all ages, sizes, and conditions, drawn up in two lines, and kept in place by Ferguzon, Barrabas, Carrotel, and their two colleagues, arrayed in their most magnificent attire. The rank and file resembled a party of bandits much more nearly than a company of soldiers.
As Cauvignac had said, they were very much out at elbows, but remarkably well armed.
"Have you received any orders concerning the place where your men are to be stationed?" the duke inquired.