It was a ministerial decree placing four departments in La Vendée
under martial law.
Petit-Pierre went up to the notice and read it through from end to end
tranquilly, in spite of Mary's entreaties to go as quickly as possible
to the house where she was expected. Petit-Pierre very justly remarked
that the matter was of such importance to her that she was right in
obtaining a thorough knowledge of it.
Presently, however, the two women went their way into the dark and
narrow streets of the old Breton city.