Only two other gentlemen rode with it, both of whom were, like the Count, from Brittany.

The little group chatted gaily as they rode along.

Unless they happened to encounter parties of Catholics going north, to join the royal army, there was, so far as they knew, no chance of their meeting any body of the enemy on their westward ride.
The towns of Vendome, Le Mans, and Laval were all strongly Catholic, and devoted to the Guises.

These must be skirted.

Rennes in Brittany must also be avoided, for all these towns were strongly garrisoned, and could turn out a force far too strong for La Noue to cope with.
Upon the march, Pierre was not only an invaluable servant but the life of the troop; he being full of fun and frolic, and making even the gravest soldier smile at his sallies.