“We have already had sufficient proof of the fidelity of M. de Brancas,” she said.
“True!” he cried, heartily. “Pardon me, I pray you, monsieur.”
“In affairs of this kind,” I said, with a smile, “it is necessary for one to be cautious. I am quite ready to withdraw,” and I arose from my chair.
“Stay, I beg of you,” and Cellamare also arose and pressed me back. “Your advice will be invaluable.”
The girl opened the packet and drew out one of the papers.
“This,” she said, “is a statement of the forces which will muster to our support in Brittany. As you see, we can count upon nearly all the noble houses. Here is the name of each of them and the number of troops each can muster.”
“Good,” said Cellamare, taking the paper and looking it over carefully. “This promises at least eight thousand men.”
She opened another paper.
“Here is a statement from Bayonne,” she said. “The town will be opened to the Spanish troops without resistance. The regiment quartered there, which is commanded by the Duc de Richelieu, will join the Spanish army, and the town has also promised to raise a regiment.”
“A good point,” and Cellamare scanned this paper as he had the first. “This will give us a stronghold on the border of France, through which we can advance upon Paris. And two regiments are not to be laughed at.”