e says no, we Englishmen will die in the breach; but though ready
to give my life for so brave a lady, I own that it is useless to fight
longer. Save our own little band not one in the town will lift a sword
again. Such resistance as we can offer will but inflame them to fury,
and all the horrors of a sack will be inflicted upon the inhabitants.
There she is, poor lady, on the turret, gazing, as usual, seaward."

Suddenly they saw her throw up her arms, and then, turning towards the
city, she cried, as she perceived the English knight: "I see them! I see
them! The English fleet are coming!"

"Run up, Walter," Sir John exclaimed, "maybe the countess is distraught
with her sorrows."

Walter dashed up to the turret, and looking seaward beheld rising over
the horizon a number of masts.

"Hurrah! Sir John," he shouted, "we are saved, the English fleet is in
sight."

Many others heard the shout, and the tidings ran like lightning through
the town. In wild excitement the people ran to the battlements and
roofs, and with cheering and clapping of hands hailed the appearance of
the still far-distant fleet. The church bells rang out joyfully and the
whole town was wild with excitement.

The Bishop of Quimper, finding that his plans were frustrated, gathered
around him some of those who had taken a leading part in the intrigue.
These, leaving the city by a gate at which they had placed some of their
own faction to open it to the French, issued out and made their way to
the assailants' camp, to give news of the altered situation. Don Louis
at once ordered an attack to be made with his whole force, in hopes
of capturing the place before the arrival of the English succour. But,
animated by their new hopes, those so lately despondent and ready to
yield manned the breaches and repulsed with great slaughter all attempts
on the part of the French to carry them. While the struggle was still
going on, the countess, aided by the wives of the burghers, busied
herself in preparing a sumptuous feast in honour of her deliverers who
were fast approaching, their ships impelled by a strong and favourable
breeze. The vessels of the French hastily drew off, and the English
fleet sailed into the port hailed by the cheers of the inhabitants.
The countess herself received Sir Walter Manny on his landing, and
the townspeople vied with each other in offering hospitality to the
men-at-arms and archers.

"Ah! Sir John Powis," Sir Walter exclaimed, "