He reported that, on the previous day, the populace had massacred thirty or forty Huguenots; and that all the rest they could lay hands on, amounting in number to nearly two hundred, had been dragged from their homes and thrown into prison.

He said that in all the villages round, the priests were preaching the extermination of the Huguenots; and it was feared that, at any moment, those of the religion would be attacked there; especially as it was likely that the populace of the town would flock out, and themselves undertake the work of massacre should the peasants, who had hitherto lived on friendly terms with the Huguenots, hang back from it.
"We must try to assist our brethren," the countess said, when she heard the news.

"Francois, take what force you can get together in an hour, and ride over towards Niort.

You will get there by midday.
If these ruffians come out from the town, do you give them a lesson; and ride round to the villages, and bring off all of our religion there.

Assure them that they shall have protection here until the troubles are over, or until matters so change that they can return safely to their homes.