all. Now, the Archbishop and the
King knew well that the Maid was, in that hour, marching on Paris. To
what purpose make a truce, and leave out of the peace the very point
where war should be? Manifestly the French King never meant to put forth
the strength of his army in helping the Maid. There was to be truce
between France and Burgundy, but none between England and the Maid."

So Messire Enguerrand told me, a learned knight and a grave, and thus was
the counsel of the saints defeated by the very King whom they sought to
aid. But of this shameful treaty we men-at-arms knew nothing, and so
hazarded our lives against loaded dice.

CHAPTER XX--CONCERNING THE MAID AND THE BIRDS

We rode northwards, first through lands that I had travelled in before to
Orleans, and so into a country then strange to me, passing by way of
Lagny, with intent to go to Senlis, where we deemed the King lay. The
whole region being near Paris, and close under the English power, was
rich and peaceful of aspect, the corn being already reaped, and standing
in sheaves about the fields, whether to feed Englishmen or Frenchmen,
none could tell. For the land was in a kind of hush, in expectancy and
fear, no man knowing how things should fall out at Paris. Natheless the
Prior of Lagny, within that very week wherein we came, had gone to St.
Denis, and yielded his good town into the hands of the Duc d'Alencon for
the King. And the fair Duke had sent thither Messire Ambrose de Lore, a
very good knight, with Messire Jehan Foucault, and many men-at-arms.

To Messire Ambrose we were brought, that we might give and take his news.
I remember well that I dropped out of the saddle at the door of his
lodgings, and could scarce stand on my legs, so weary was I with the long
and swift riding. Never had I ridden so far, and so fast, fresh horses
standing saddled and bridled for Thomas Scott and me at every stage, but
the beast which I had hired I sent back from the first stage to mine host
of the "Hanging Sword." Not without labour I climbed the stairs to the
chamber of Messire Ambrose, who bade us sit down, and called for wine to
be given us, whereof Thomas Scott drank well, but I dared take none, lest
my legs should wholly refuse their office.

When Thomas had told how all the country lay at the King's peace, and how
our purpose was to ride to the King at Senlis, the knight bade us rather
make what haste we might to St. Denis. "For there, by to