for they forefaw they would be befieged. Ayme-rigot now began to repent what he had done, for, fhould he b,e taken, no ranfom would be accepted for his life. He that opened himfelf to fome of his companions i c I am completely dif-graced, by having followed bad advice, and avarice will be my ruin j for I fhall be deftroyed without hope of ranfom.' They replied,—* Why are you now fo doubtful of yourfetf f We know you are thé moft powerful man at arms in thefe countries, and you have a good garrifon, wdl provided with all things. We ate men of deter-mined refolution, as eager to defend our lives, as you can be to defend your own. You cannot be ruined without our fuffering with you : if, uafori tunately, you be made prifbner, you are fo weakhy, you can eafily tempt them with your ranfom ; but our poverty muft prevent us from fo doing, and our heads pay the forfeit. We will therefore felt them as dearly as we can, and guard them to the utmoft of our abilities. Be not, therefore, alarmed • at * any thing you may fee or hear : we need not care fot the fiege, if we manage our defence with prudence.' Thus did the companions of Ayraeri* got Marcel comfort him. The vifcount dé Meaux, with his men ata*ms* continued their march through Moulins, m th« Bourbonnois ; but $c duchefs of Bourbon, daugh-ter to the count dauphin, received there the vif-count and the knights very grandly, and enter-tained them at dinner. That evopfcg they lay at Saint Pourçain. Thençe they marched to Gannat, La Aigue- U7