the
sleeping lourdaud, and then drew near her on tiptoe.

I listened, and, from her breathing, I believe that she slept, as extreme
labour and weariness and sorrow do sometimes bring their own remede.

Then a thought came into my mind, how I should best awake her, and
stooping, I said in her ear--

"Fille De!"

Instantly she turned about, and, sitting up, folded her hands as one in
prayer, deeming, belike, that she was aroused by the voices of her
Saints. I kneeled down beside the bed, and whispered--"Madame, Jeanne,
look on my face!"

She gazed on me, and now I saw her brave face, weary and thin and white,
and, greater than of old, the great grey eyes.

"I said once," came her sweet voice, "that thou alone shouldst stand by
me when all had forsaken me. Fair Saints, do I dream but a dream?"

"Nay, Madame," I said, "thou wakest and dost not dream. One has sent me
who loves thee, even my lady Elliot; and now listen, for the time is
short. See, here I have the master-key, and when I have unlocked thy
bonds . . . "

"Thou hast not slain these men?" she asked. "That were deadly sin."

"Nay, they do but sleep, and will waken belike ere the fresh guard comes,
wherefore we must make haste."

"When I have freed thee, do on thy body, above thy raiment, this doublet
of mine, for it carries the cross of England, and, I being of little
stature, you may well pass for me. Moreover, this cloak and its hood,
which I wore when I came in, will cover thee. Then, when thou goest
forth give the word 'Bedford' to the sentinels; and, to the porter in the
gate, show this written pass of John Grey's. He knows it already, having
seen it this night. Next, when thou art without the castle, fare to the
hostelry called 'The Rose and Apple,' which is nearest the castle gate,
and so straight into the stable, where stand two steeds, saddled and
bridled. Choose the black, he is the swifter. If the hostler be awake,
he expects me, and will take thee for me; mount, with no word, and ride
to the eastern port. There show to the gate ward this signet of Sir
Thomas Grey, and he will up with portcullis and down with drawbridge, for
he has often done no less for me and that signet.

"Then, Madame, ride for Louviers, and you shall break your fast with the
Bastard and La Hire." Her white face changed to red, like the morning
light, as on that day at Orleans, before she took Les Tourelles.

Then the flush faded, and she grew ashen pale,