as brought.

And then, indeed, out came all my tale, and they heard of what had been
my fortune in Paris, and how the jackanapes had delivered me from
durance, whereon never, surely, was any beast of his kind so caressed
since our father Adam gave all the creatures their names. But as
touching the Maid, I told how she had borne herself at St. Pierre le
Moustier, and of all the honours that had been granted to her, and I bade
them be of good heart and hope, for that her banner would be on the wind
in spring, after Easter Day. All the good news that might be truly told
I did tell, as how La Hire had taken Louviers town, and harried the
English up to the very gates of Rouen. And I gave to Elliot the ring
which the Maid had sent to her, fashioned like that she herself wore, but
of silver gilt, whereas the Maid's was of base metal, and it bore the
Holy Names MARI. IHS. Thereon Elliot kissed it humbly, and avowed
herself to be, that night, the gladdest damsel in all France.

"For I have gotten you, mon ami, and my little friend that I had lost,
beyond all hope, and I have a kind word and a token from Her, la fille de
Dieu," whereat her speech faltered, and her eyes swam in tears. But some
trick of her jackanapes brought back her mirth, and so the hours passed,
as happy as any in my life. Truly the memory of these things tells me
how glad this world might be, wherein God has placed us, were it not
troubled by the inordinate desires of men. In my master's house of
Tours, then, my days of holiday went merrily by, save for one matter, and
that of the utmost moment. For my master would in no manner permit me to
wed his daughter while this war endured; and Elliot herself, blushing
like any rose, told me that, while the Maid had need of me, with the Maid
I must abide at my duty, and that she herself had no mind for happiness
while her friend was yet labouring in the cause of France. Howbeit, I
delivered me of my vow, by pilgrimage to the chapel in Fierbois. {32}

CHAPTER XXIV--HOW THE MAID HEARD ILL TIDINGS FROM HER VOICES, AND OF THE
SILENCE OF THE BIRDS

Eastertide came at last, and that early, Easter Day falling on March the
twenty-seventh. Our King kept his Paques at Sully with great festival,
but his deadly foe, the Duke of Burgundy, lay at the town of Peronne. So
soon as Eastertide was over, the Duke drew all the force he had to
Montdidier, a town which lies some eight leagues to the north and west of
Com