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that none shall be molested in property or estate should they surrender。〃
〃It is sad to see the countess；〃 Walter replied； 〃she who has shown such high spirit throughout the siege now does nothing but weep； for she knows that with her and her child in the hands of the French the cause of the count is lost。 If she could carry off the child by sea she would not so much care for the fall of the town； but the French ships lie thick round the port； and there is no hope of breaking through。〃
Two days later the conspiracy came to a head； and the people； assembling round the countess's house； clamoured for surrender。 The breaches were open； and the enemy might pour in at any time and put all to the sword。 The countess begged for a little further delay； but in vain； and withdrew to the turret where she had for so many weary weeks watched the horizon； in hopes of seeing the sails of the approaching fleet。 Walter was at the time with Sir John Powis on the walls。
Presently a large body of French were seen approaching headed by Henry de Leon； who summoned the town to surrender。 Many standing on the walls shouted that the gates should be thrown open； but Sir John returned for answer that he must consult the countess； and that upon her answer must depend whether he and his men would defend the breach until the last。
〃Come with me； Walter；〃 he said； 〃we must fain persuade the countess。 If she says no； we Englishmen will die in the breach； but though ready to give my life for so brave a lady； I own that it is useless to fight longer。 Save our own little band not one in the town will lift a sword again。 Such resistance as we can offer will but inflame them to fury； and all the horrors of a sack will be inflicted upon the inhabitants。 There she is； poor lady； on the turret； gazing； as usual； seaward。〃
Suddenly they saw her throw up her arms； and then； turning towards the city； she cried； as she perceived the English knight： 〃I see them！ I see them！ The English fleet are coming！〃
〃Run up； Walter；〃 Sir John exclaimed； 〃maybe the countess is distraught with her sorrows。
Walter dashed up to the turret； and looking seaward beheld rising over the horizon a number of masts。
〃Hurrah ！ Sir John；〃 he shouted； 〃we are saved； the English fleet is in sight。〃
Many others heard the shout； and the tidings ran like lightning through the town。 In wild excitement the people ran to the battlements and roofs； and with cheering and clapping of hands hailed the appearance of the still far…distant fleet。 The church bells rang out joyfully and the whole town was wild with excitement。
The Bishop of Quimper； finding that his plans were frustrated； gathered around him some of those who had taken a leading part in the intrigue。 These； leaving the city by a gate at which they had placed some of their own faction to open it to the French； issued out and made their way to the assailants' camp； to give news of the altered situation。 Don Louis at once ordered an attack to be made with his whole force； in hopes of capturing the place before the arrival of the English succour。 But； animated by their new hopes； those so lately despondent and ready to yield manned the breaches and repulsed with great slaughter all attempts on the part of the French to carry them。 While the struggle was still going on； the countess； aided by the wives of the burghers； busied herself in preparing a sumptuous feast in honour of her deliverers who were fast approaching； their ships impelled by a strong and favourable breeze。 The vessels of the French hastily drew off； and the English fleet sailed into the port hailed by the cheers of the inhabitants。 The countess herself received Sir Walter Manny on his landing； and the townspeople vied with each other in offering hospitality to the men…at…arms and archers。
〃Ah！ Sir John Powis；〃 Sir Walter exclaimed； 〃what； are you here？ I had given you up for lost。 We thought you had gone down in the gale the night you started。〃
〃We were separated from the fleet； Sir Walter； but the master held on； and we arrived here four days after we put out。 We took part in the siege of Rennes； and have since done our best to aid the countess here。〃
〃And their best has been much；〃 the countess said； 〃not to say how bravely they have fought upon the walls； it is to Sir John and his little band that I owe it that the town was not surrendered days ago。 They alone remained steadfast when all others fell away； and it is due to them that I am still able； as mistress of this town； to greet you on your arrival。 Next to Sir John himself； my thanks are due to your young esquire； Walter Somers； who has cheered and stood by me； and to whose suggestions I owe it that I was able at the first to sally out and destroy the French camp while they were attacking the walls； and so greatly hindered their measures against the town。 And now； sir； will you follow me？ I have prepared for you and your knights such a banquet of welcome as our poor means will allow； and my townspeople will see that good fare is set before your soldiers。〃
That evening there was high feasting in the town； although the crash of the heavy stones cast by the French machines against the walls never ceased。 Early the next morning Sir Walter Manny made a survey of the place and of the disposition of the enemy； and proposed to his knights to sally forth at once and destroy the largest of the enemy's machines； which had been brought up close to the walls。 In a few minutes the knights were armed and mounted。 Three hundred knights and esquires were to take part in the sortie； they were to be followed by a strong body of men…at…arms。
As soon as the gates were opened a number of archers issued out； and taking their place at the edge of the moat； poured a rain of arrows upon the men working the machine and those guarding it。 Most of these took to flight at once； the remainder were cut down by the men…at…arms； who at once proceeded to hew the machine in pieces with the axes with which they were provided。 Sir Walter himself and his mounted companions dashed forward to the nearer tents of the French camps； cut down all who opposed them； and setting fire to the huts retired towards the city。
By this time the French were thoroughly alarmed； and numbers of knights and men… at…arms dashed after the little body of English cavalry。 These could have regained the place in safety； but in the chivalrous spirit of the time they disdained to retire without striking a blow。 Turning their horses； therefore； and laying their lances in rest； they charged the pursuing French。
For a few minutes the conflict was desperate and many on both sides were overthrown； then； as large reinforcements were continually arriving to the French； Sir Walter called off his men and retired slowly。 On reaching the moat he halted his forces。 The knights wheeled and presented a firm face to the enemy； covering the entrance of their followers into the gate。 The French chivalry thundered down upon the little body； but were met by a storm of arrows from the archers lining the moat。 Many knights were struck through the bars of their vizors or the joints of their mail。 The horses； though defended by iron trappings； fell dead under them； or