mas Scott, whom I had encountered before, as I
have written, bidding my master come straightway to Reims, to join the
King, and exercise his craft in designing a great picture of the
coronation. So with much ado he bestowed his canvases, brushes, paints,
and all other gear of his trade in wallets, and, commending his daughter
to his old kinswoman, to obey her in all things, he set off on horseback
with Thomas Scott. But for myself, I was to lodge, while he was at
Reims, with a worthy woman of Tours, for the avoiding of evil tongues,
and very tardily the time passed with me, for that I might not be, as
before, always in the company of Elliot.

As for my lady, she was, during most of these days, on her knees at the
altar in the great minster, praying to the saints for the Dauphin, and
the Maid, and for her father, that he might come and go safely on his
journey. Nor did she pray in vain, for, no more than two days after the
first tidings had arrived that the sacring was done, and that all had
gone well, my master rode to his own door, weary, but glad at heart, and
hobbled into his house. One was sent running to bring me this good news,
and I myself ran, for now I was able, and found him seated at his meat,
as well as he could eat it for Elliot, that often stopped his mouth with
kisses.

He held forth his hand to me, saying, "All is as well as heart could
desire, and the Maid bids you follow her, if you may, to the taking of
Paris, for there she says will be your one chance to win your spurs. And
now let me eat and drink, for the heat is great, the ways dusty, and I
half famished. Thereafter ask me what you will, and you, Elliot, come
not between a hungry man and his meat."

So he spoke, sitting at his table with his tankard in his hand, and his
wallets lying about him on the floor. Elliot was therefore fain not to
be embracing him, but rather to carve for him, and serve in the best
manner, that he might sup the quicker and tell us all his tale. This he
did at last, Elliot sitting on his knee, with her arm about his neck.
But, as touches the sacring, how it was done, though many of the peers of
France were not there to see, and how noble were the manners of the King
and the Maid, who stood there with her banner, and of the only reward
which she would take, namely, that her townsfolk should live free of tax
and corvee, all this is known and written of in Chronicles. Nor did I
see it myself, so I pass by. But, ne