The Earl and his brother lay wrapped in their plaids in one of the round towers of the outer defences.

In the castle hall the retainers of the French ambassador slept side by side, or heads and tails with the archers of the house-guard.

Lights flickered on the turnpike stair which led to the upper floors.

The servitors had cleared the great hall, and here on a dais, raised above the "marsh" and sheltered by an arras curtain hastily arranged, James the Gross slept on a soft French bed, which he had caused to be brought all the way from his castle of Strathavon on the moors of Lanarkshire.
In the Earl's chamber on the third floor was lodged the Marshal de Retz.

Next him ranged the apartment of the countess.