; at last they were to part. And, remembering what he
owed to her, the Jester suddenly found himself regretting that here
their paths separated forever. Swiftly his mind flew back to their
first meeting; when she had flouted him in Fools' hall. A perverse,
capricious maid. How she had ever crossed him, and yet--nursed him.

Attentively he regarded her. The customary pallor of her face had
given way to a faint tint; her eyes were humid, dewy-bright; beneath
the little cap, the curling tresses would have been the despair of
those later-day reformers, the successors of Calvinists and Lutherans.

"A will-o'-the-wisp," he thought. "A man might follow and never grasp
her."

Did she read what he felt? That mingled gratitude and perplexity? Her
clear eyes certainly seemed to have a peculiar mastery over the
thoughts of others. Now they expressed only mockery.

"The greater danger is over," she said, quietly. "From now on there is
less fear of your being taken."

"Thanks to you!" he answered, searching her with his glance.

Here he doubted not she would make known the quest of which she had
spoken. Whatever it might be, he would faithfully requite her; even to
making his own purpose subservient to it.

"It is now time," she said, demurely, "to acquaint you with the
mission. Of course, you will accept it?"

"Can you ask?" he answered, earnestly.

"You promise?"

"To serve you with my life."

"Then we had better go on," she continued.

"But, Mademoiselle, I thought--"

"That we were to part here? Not at all. I am not yet ready to leave
you. In fact, good Master Jester, I am going with you. _I_ am the
quest; _I_ am the mission. Are you sorry you promised?"

CHAPTER XVIII

THE SECRET OF THE JESTRESS

She, the quest, the mission! With growing amazement he gazed at her,
but she returned his look, as though enjoying his surprise.

"You do not seem overpleased with the prospect of my company?" she
observed. "Or perhaps you fear I may encumber you?" With mock irony.
"Confess, the service is more onerous than you expected?"

Beneath her flushed, yet smiling face lay a nervous earnestness he
could divine, but not fathom.

"Different, certainly," he answered, brusquely.

Her eyes flashed. "How complimentary you are!"

"For your own sake--"

"My sake!" she exclaimed, passionately. Her little hand closed
fiercely; proudly her eyes burned into his. "Think you I have taken
this step idly?