-fair nurse. Nay, forbid me not, I have sworn it
to myself, and I must go. And the Maiden told me, when I spoke of it,
that it was no more than right." Then she threw her arms about me again,
in the closest embrace, and hid her head. Now, this resolve of hers gave
me no little cause of apprehension, as not knowing well how things might
pass in such an encounter of two ladies. But even then one touched me on
the shoulder from behind, and the Maid herself stood beside us.

"O joy!" she said, "my peacemaking has been blessed! Go, you foolish
folk, and sin no more, and peace and happiness be with you, long years,
and glad children at your knees. Yet hereof I know nothing from my
counsel. And now I must go forth about the Dauphin's business, and to do
that for which I was sent. They that brought thee in the litter will
carry thee back again; so farewell."

Thus saying, she stooped and kissed Elliot, who leaped up and caught the
Maid in her arms, and they embraced, and parted for that time, Elliot
weeping to lose her, and at the thought of the dangers of war.

CHAPTER XVII--HOW ELLIOT LOST HER JACKANAPES

The Maid's confessor, Pasquerel, stood in the chamber where we had met,
with his eyes bent on the ground, so that Elliot and I had no more free
speech at that time. Therefore I said farewell, not daring to ask of her
when her mind was to visit my hosts, and, indeed, my trust was that she
might leave this undone, lest new cause of sorrow should arise. Thus we
parted, with very courtly leave-taking, the priest regarding us in his
manner, and I was carried in the litter through the streets, that had
been so quiet when I came forth in the morning, but now they were full of
men and of noise. Herds of cattle were being driven for the food of the
army marching against Jargeau; there were trains of carts full of
victual, and the citizens having lent the Maid their great pieces of
ordnance, the bombard called "The Shepherdess," and the gun "Montargis,"
these were being dragged along by clamorous companies of apprentices, and
there were waggons charged with powder, and stone balls, and boxes of
arrows, spades and picks for trenching, and all manner of munition of
war. By reason of the troops of horses and of marching men, they that
bore me were often compelled to stop. Therefore, lest any who knew me
should speak with me, I drew the curtains of the litter, for I had much
matter to think on, and was fain to be p