"
"How long will Paris hold out, think you, Master Vickars? They say
that provisions are well nigh spent."
"Judging from the way in which the Dutch towns held on for weeks
and weeks after, as it seemed, all supplies were exhausted, I should
say that if the people of Paris are as ready to suffer rather than
yield as were the Dutch burghers, they may hold on for a long time
yet. It is certain that no provisions can come to them as long as
we hold possession of this town, and so block the river."
"But if the armies of Parma and the League come they may drive you
away, Master Vickars."
"It is quite possible, mademoiselle; we do not pretend to be
invincible, but I think there will be some tough fighting first."
As the weeks went on Lionel Vickars came to be on very intimate
terms with the family. The two maidservants shared in the general
liking for the young officer. He gave no more trouble than if he
were one of the family, and on one or two occasions when disturbances
were caused by the ill conduct of the miscellaneous bands which
constituted the garrison, he brought his half company of English
soldiers at once into the house, and by his resolute attitude
prevented the marauders from entering.
When Parma's army approached Sir Ralph Pimpernel with the cavalry
joined the king, but Lionel shared in the disappointment felt by
all the infantry of the garrison of Lagny that they could take no
share in the great battle that was expected.
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