From this chamber she went to the castle-hall and found there, awaiting her, Thibaut Canteleu, for whom she had sent. She took him upon the dais, her attendants clustering at the lower end of the hall, out of hearing.
“Thibaut,” she said, “there is good hope that in a week Lord Stephen may take again his generalship.”
“I am glad, my lady,” answered Thibaut, “for Lord Stephen, for ’tis weary lying ill in time of war. But we have had as good a general!”
“That is as may be.... Thibaut, do you see victory for Roche-de-Frêne?”
Thibaut uttered a short groan. “My Lady Audiart, the road is dark—”
“I think that if we strain to the uttermost we may hold out yet two months.”
“Montmaure could never do it, but for Duke Richard’s men!”
“Just.... Thibaut, Thibaut, now listen to me, and when you have heard, speak not loudly! If this is done, it must slip through in silence.”
She spoke on for some moments, her voice low but full of expression, her eyes upon the mayor. She ended, “And I well believe that you can and will hold the town until there is seen what comes—”