It took a fortnight's hard work before the outwork was completed.
It was twenty feet high, triangular in form, and solid in
construction. Many of the tenants were accustomed to stonework;
and while the rest of the bastion was constructed of rough stones
mixed with earth, a parapet four feet thick, of roughly dressed
stones, was carried along on the crest of the two outward sides.
Four guns were mounted here; the rest of the cannon were placed on
the outer wall instead of the honeycombed guns before in position,
and the castle was thus prepared to stand a regular siege.

Hector remained for a week after the work was completed, paid the
tenants liberally for the services they had rendered, and dismissed
them to their homes, for the terrible blow that had been inflicted
upon them had so cowed the peasants that order had been completely
restored in that part of Poitou. Then, after taking an affectionate
adieu of Madame de Blenfoix and her daughter, he rode back to Paris,
where he remained for two months.

At the end of that time, being heartily tired of the frivolity
and intrigues, and disgusted at the immorality of the court, he
obtained leave from Mazarin to rejoin his regiment, as the campaign
might be expected to open shortly again. The cardinal had warmly
congratulated him upon the suppression of the insurrection in
Poitou, of which he had received full details from his agents long
before Hector reached Paris.

"I have always exhorted the officers and the troops engaged in
putting down these risings to spill no more blood than is absolutely
necessary. But it needed a great lesson, such as you have given
them. Otherwise, as soon as the troops were withdrawn the peasants