The
word of a priest with them was never doubted, but the promises of a
bishop were assurances direct from heaven: they would consider it gross
impiety to have any doubt of victory, when victory had been promised
them by so holy a man as he who had just addressed them. After the
Bishop of Agra had left the town, Larochejaquelin and de Lescure went
through the army, talking to the men, and they found them eager to renew
the attack on the camp of Varin. Though Varin was nearly three leagues
from them, and though they had been up nearly the whole previous night,
they would willingly have returned to the attack that evening, had they
been allowed to do so.
This was not considered expedient: but it was resolved that the attack
on the camp should be renewed as early as possible on the following
morning, as it was considered that the republicans would not expect so
quick a return of an army which had been completely routed; and might,
therefore, to a certain extent, be taken by surprise.
"We must run fast, friends," said Chapeau to his allies from Durbelliere
and Echanbroignes, "for the first men who reach Varin, will retake
'Marie Jeanne;' we will have a share in her, as well as the men of St.
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