"The Sire of Plouernel."
"Singular!"
"Singular what?"
"I've heard Monsieur Lebrenn mention that name, more than once."
"The name of the Sire of Plouernel? On what occasion?"
"I'll tell you later. First of all, let's have the song of the Three Red Monks. It will interest me doubly."
"You must know, first of all, my lassy, that the red monks were Templars, and wore a sword and helmet, just like that sparrow-hawk of a dragoon."
"Very well, now go on. Madam may come down any moment, and monsieur is due here now."
"Listen attentively, Jeanike."
And Gildas commenced the following recitative. It was not sung, exactly, but was chanted like a psalm in a grave and melancholic voice: