"
"We must remember, Henri," said de Lescure, "these are not conscripts,
nor yet merely the Marsellaise, we have to deal with: the men who fought
at Jemappes and at Valmy are here; the old cuirassiers of the French
army."
"They are cowards, Charles," said Henri, "or they would not have
deserted their King."
"They are good soldiers, nevertheless," said Bonchamps. "I have fought
among them, and know it."
"They are the better worth our fighting then," said Henri.
"Providence can give us the victory over tried veterans as well as over
untried conscripts; it were a sin to doubt it," said M. d'Elbee.
"That would be a good subject for a sermon to the soldiers, but a bad
argument in a council chamber," said Bonchamps. "We shall find the
cuirassiers tough fellows to deal with."
"We must take our enemies as we find them," said Cathelineau; "but if
you will allow me, gentlemen, and as you have placed me here, I will
tell you what I would propose?'
"Do, Cathelineau, do!" said Henri; "let us have one plan, and then make
the best we can of it; we can at any rate do our duty like men.
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