But Marius did not so readily grow afraid.
"Madame," he said, "at the worst we can shut our gates and fling defiance at them.

We are well-manned, and Fortunio is seeking fresh recruits." "Seeking them, yes," she sneered.

"For a week has the fellow been spending money like water, addling the brains of half Grenoble with the best wine at the Auberge de France, yet not a single recruit has come in, so far." Marius laughed.

"Your pessimism leads you into rash conclusions," he cried.

"You are wrong.