"Easy to see that, citizen," retorted Gudin.
A few contemptuous laughs came from the nearest ranks.
"Do you think," said Corentin, sharply, "that the only way to serve
France is with bayonets?"
Then he turned his back to the laughers, and asked a woman beside him
if she knew the object of the expedition.
"Hey! my good man, the Chouans are at Florigny. They say there are
more than three thousand, and they are coming to take Fougeres."
"Florigny?" cried Corentin, turning white; "then the rendezvous is not
there! Is Florigny on the road to Mayenne?" he asked.
"There are not two Florignys," replied the woman, pointing in the
direction of the summit of La Pelerine.
"Are you going in search of the Marquis de Montauran?" said Corentin
to Hulot.
"Perhaps I am," answered the commandant, curtly.
"He is not at Florigny," said Corentin. "Send your troops there by all
means; but keep a few of those imitation Chouans of yours with you,
and wait for me."
"He is too malignant not to know what he's about," thought Hulot as
Corentin made off rapidly, "he's the king of spies."
Hulot ordered the battalion to start. The republican soldiers marched
without drums and silently through the narrow suburb which led to the
Mayenne high-road, forming a blue and red line among the trees and
houses. The disguised guard followed them; but Hulot, detaining Gudin
and about a score of the smartest young fellows of the town, remained
in the little square, awaiting Corentin, whose mysterious manner had
piqued his curiosity.
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