Our host raised his hands. "Now there!" he exclaimed, regret in
his voice. "And if you had arrived yesterday you could have
travelled up with the Vidame de Bezers! And you a small party--
saving your lordships' presence--and the roads but so-so!"
"But the Vidame was riding with only half-a-dozen attendants
also!" I answered, flicking my boot in a careless way.
The landlord shook his head. "Ah, M. le Vidame knows the world!"
he answered shrewdly. "He is not to be taken off his guard, not
he! One of his men whispered me that twenty staunch fellows
would join him at Chateauroux. They say the wars are over, but"
--and the good man, shrugging his shoulders, cast an expressive
glance at some fine flitches of bacon which were hanging in his
chimney. "However, your lordships know better than I do," he
added briskly. "I am a poor man. I only wish to live at peace
with my neighbours, whether they go to mass or sermon."
This was a sentiment so common in those days and so heartily
echoed by most men of substance both in town and country, that we
did not stay to assent to it; but having received from the worthy
fellow a token which would insure our obtaining fresh cattle at
Limoges, we took to the road again, refreshed in body, and with
some food for thought.
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