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4 Attempt on Paris. [1562
the greater efficiency of what may be called their secret service almost
to hold their own.
Early in November, d'Andelot, having managed to elude the vigilance
of the Duke of Nevers and Marshal Saint-Andre, who were looking out
for him in Champagne, brought his Germans, 9000 in number, safely to
Montargis, where he was joined by his brother the Admiral and Conde.
Leaving d'Andelot in command at Orleans, the others made a bold dash
for Paris, hoping to seize the capital by a coup-de-ma'm before the bulk
of the Royalist army could get back from Normandy. They reached
Arcueil without opposition on November 23; but found Guise and
Saint-Andi'e already there, and the city prepared for defence. An
assault was repulsed; but when Conde challenged the King's forces to a
pitched battle, the Queen-Mother, partly no doubt in order to give time
for the arrival of reinforcements from the South, made overtures for
peace. The Constable, the Duke of Montmorency, actually went into
the Huguenot camp as a hostage while the Admiral was in Paris, and
the negotiations continued for some days. No result was reached; and
on December 10 Conde withdrew his forces in the direction of Chartres.
The royal army followed, marching on a nearly parallel line to Etampes,
thus threatening Orleans. The Huguenot chiefs were a little perplexed,
and various moves were suggested. Conde, with whom valour was apt
to be the better part of discretion, was for doubling back with all speed
to Paris and seizing it before the other side could come up. The more
wary Admiral pointed out that, even if they got into Paris, with the
King's army between them and Orleans, not only would that city be
easily retaken, but they would be cut off from their main source of
provisions. The re'iters, too, as usual wanted their pay; and the money
was in English bands at Havre. A march into Normandy would enable
them to join hands with the English ; and, since the enemy would be
compelled to follow, Orleans would no longer be in danger. This
counsel prevailed, and the Huguenots, who for three days had been
making futile attempts to take the little town of Saint-Arnoul, proceeded
in the direction of Dreux, a fortified town close to the frontier of
Normandy, of which a detachment from their army had been sent to
make sure. This operation, however, did not succeed, and only dislocated
the formation of their forces.
The Huguenots reached the river Eure first and crossed it (as it would
seem) on the morning of December 19, the Admiral's division leading.
The Catholics arrived later in the day, and, remaining unobserved in
consequence of the bad scouting of Conde's division, succeeded during
the night in crossing about two miles higher up and placing themselves
by a flank march between their opponents and the town of Dreux. This
movement brought Saint-Andre, who commanded the advance-guard (the
Duke of Guise choosing to serve that day as a simple captain) on the left
wing'of the royal army, opposite to Conde and somewhat outflanking him;