t you, Elliot made no motion
of rising. Nay, when I bade her make haste, she said that haste there
was none; and when I, marvelling, asked, 'Wherefore?' answered that she
was loth to spoil good company, and had seen you, as I did myself, happy
enough with the lass who nursed you, and who had written to her."

"And wherefore, in Heaven's name, should we not be happy on such a day as
this was an hour agone? But now the sun is out of the sky."

"I see him plainer than ever I did in the Merse," said my master, looking
up where the sun was bright in the west. "But what would you? Women
have been thus since Eve had a daughter, for our father Adam, I trow, had
no trouble with other ladies than his wife--and that was trouble enough."

"But how am I to make my peace, and win my pardon, being innocent as I
am?"

"Faith, I know not!" said he, and laughed again, which angered me some
deal, for what was there to laugh at?

"May I let bring a litter, for I cannot yet walk, and so go back with you
to her?"

"Indeed, I doubt if it were wise," said he; and so we stood gazing at
each other, while I could have wept for very helpless anger. "I have it,
I think," said he at last. "The Maid is right busy, as needs must be,
gathering guns and food for her siege of Jargeau. But it is not fitting
that she should visit Orleans without seeing you, nor would she wish to
be so negligent. Yet if she were, I would put it in her mind, and then,
when you are with her, which Elliot shall not know, I will see that
Elliot comes into the chamber, and so leave all to you, and to her, and
to the Maid. For she hath great power with that silly wench of mine, who
has no other desire, I trow, than a good excuse to be rid of her sudden
anger. If she loved you less, she would be never so fiery."

I myself could see no better hope or comfort.

Then he began to devise with me on other matters, and got from me the
story of my great peril at the hands of Brother Thomas. He laughed at
the manner of my outwitting that miscreant, who had never been taken, but
was fled none knew whither, and my master promised to tell the tale to
the Maid, and warn her against this enemy. And so bidding me be of good
cheer, he departed; but for my part, I went into my chamber, drew the
bolt, and cast myself on the bed, refusing meat or drink, or to see the
face of man or woman.

I was devoured by a bitter anger, considering how my lady had used me,
and what was most