All was in readiness.
The men, after their first success, felt confident that they should beat off their assailants; and even the women, gathered round the great fires in the house and courtyard, with pails in readiness to carry boiling water to the threatened points, showed no signs of anxiety; the younger ones laughing and chatting together, as if engaged in ordinary work.
The countess went round, with her maids carrying flagons and cups, and gave a draught of wine to each of the defenders.

The minister accompanied her.

As yet there were no wounded needing their care, for all who had been hit had been struck in the head; and death had, in each case, been instantaneous.
At last the great gates fell with a crash, and a shout of exultation arose from the Catholics; answered, by the Huguenots on the wall, by one of defiance.

In half an hour the assailants again formed up.

The strongest column advanced towards the great gate, others against the posterns; and four separate bodies, with planks and ladders, moved forward to bridge the moat and to attack at other points.
The defenders on the walls and at the windows were soon at work, and the assailants suffered heavily from the fire, as they advanced.