midday
He said that in all the villages round , the priests were preaching the extermination of the Huguenots ; and it was feared that , at any moment , those of the religion would be attacked there ; especially as it was likely that the populace of the town would flock out , and themselves undertake the work of massacre should the peasants , who had hitherto lived on friendly terms with the Huguenots , hang back from it . `` We must try to assist our brethren , '' the countess said , when she heard the news . `` Francois , take what force you can get together in an hour , and ride over towards Niort . You will get there by midday . If these ruffians come out from the town , do you give them a lesson ; and ride round to the villages , and bring off all of our religion there . Assure them that they shall have protection here until the troubles are over , or until matters so change that they can return safely to their homes . We can not sit quietly , and hear of murder so close at hand .