nine o'clock
They were now , alas ! reduced to half the number , which had ridden out of Chatillon before the battle of Cholet ; but the remnant were still full of spirit , and anxious to avenge their fallen brethren . Their bright trappings and complete accoutrements , afforded a strange contrast to the medley appearance of the footmen , who retreated back to the houses , to make way for the horses ; and told more plainly than any words could do , the difference between an army of trained soldiers , and a band of brave , but tumultuous peasants . It was now nine o'clock ; and shortly after the horsemen had all passed through the street , the little Chevalier came in with the news , that they were immediately about to attack the blues ; the republican army being already within a mile of the town ; and that Henri was at that moment leaving the guard-house , and preparing to lead the attack ; and when he had told so much aloud to them all , he stooped down to whisper to de Lescure , that Adolphe Denot was riding everywhere through the town at Henri 's right hand , and that he was the redoubtable Mad Captain , the leader of La Petite Vendée . De Lescure had not time to question the Chevalier , or to express his surprise , before Henri was seen coming down the street on horseback , almost at full gallop , and at his right hand rode a man , whom they did not all immediately recognize . Agatha , however , knew at the first glance who the stranger was , and with an instinctive feeling that the sight of her would be painful to him , she retreated behind her father 's couch , so that he could not well see her from the street . When Chapeau had first whispered into his master 's ear the name of Adolphe Denot as the leader of the Bretons , Agatha had truly guessed the purport of his whisper ; and it can not , therefore , be said that she was startled to see Adolphe once more by her brother 's side ; but still she could not but shudder as she remembered the circumstances under which she had last seen him , and the inhuman crime of which he had been guilty .