第9章

Now，withhistalkofadventures，andwithhighhopes，Iwassoheartenedup，that，tomyshame，mygrieffellfromme，andIwenttomybedtodreamoftrenchesandescalades，gloryandgain。ButElliot，Ifearme，passedawearynight，andasorry，whereasIhadscarcelaidmyheadonmypillow，asitseemed，whenIheardThomasshoutingtothegrooms，andclatterofourhorses"hoofsinthecourtyard。SoIleapedup，thoughitwasscarcedaylight，andwerodenorthwardsbeforethefullcomingofthedawn。

HereImustneedswriteofashamefulthing，whichIknewnotthen，orIwouldhaveriddenwithaheavierheart，butIwastoldconcerningthemattermanyyearsafter，byMessireEnguerranddeMonstrelet，averylearnedknight，anddeepinthecounselsoftheDukeofBurgundy。

"Youwereallsold，"hesaidtome，atDijon，intheyearofourLordfourteenhundredandforty-seven——"youwereallsoldwhenyoumarchedagainstParistown。FortheMaid，withD"Alencon，rodefromCompiegnetowardsParis，onthetwenty-thirdofAugust，ifI

rememberwell"；andhereheturnedaboutcertainwrittenparchmentsthatlaybyhim。"Yea，onthetwenty-thirdsheleftCompiegne，butonthetwenty-eighthofthatmonththeArchbishopofReimsenteredthetown，andtherehemettheambassadorsoftheGoodDukeofBurgundy。Thereheandtheymadeacompactbetweenthem，bindingyourKingandtheDuke，thattheirtruceshouldlasttillNoel，butthatthedukemightusehismeninthedefenceofParisagainstallthatmightmakeonfall。Now，theArchbishopandtheKingknewwellthattheMaidwas，inthathour，marchingonParis。Towhatpurposemakeatruce，andleaveoutofthepeacetheverypointwherewarshouldbe？ManifestlytheFrenchKingnevermeanttoputforththestrengthofhisarmyinhelpingtheMaid。TherewastobetrucebetweenFranceandBurgundy，butnonebetweenEnglandandtheMaid。”

SoMessireEnguerrandtoldme，alearnedknightandagrave，andthuswasthecounselofthesaintsdefeatedbytheveryKingwhomtheysoughttoaid。Butofthisshamefultreatywemen-at-armsknewnothing，andsohazardedourlivesagainstloadeddice。

CHAPTERXX——CONCERNINGTHEMAIDANDTHEBIRDS

Werodenorthwards，firstthroughlandsthatIhadtravelledinbeforetoOrleans，andsointoacountrythenstrangetome，passingbywayofLagny，withintenttogotoSenlis，wherewedeemedtheKinglay。ThewholeregionbeingnearParis，andcloseundertheEnglishpower，wasrichandpeacefulofaspect，thecornbeingalreadyreaped，andstandinginsheavesaboutthefields，whethertofeedEnglishmenorFrenchmen，nonecouldtell。Forthelandwasinakindofhush，inexpectancyandfear，nomanknowinghowthingsshouldfalloutatParis。NathelessthePriorofLagny，withinthatveryweekwhereinwecame，hadgonetoSt。Denis，andyieldedhisgoodtownintothehandsoftheDucd"AlenconfortheKing。AndthefairDukehadsentthitherMessireAmbrosedeLore，averygoodknight，withMessireJehanFoucault，andmanymen-at-arms。

ToMessireAmbrosewewerebrought，thatwemightgiveandtakehisnews。IrememberwellthatIdroppedoutofthesaddleatthedoorofhislodgings，andcouldscarcestandonmylegs，sowearywasI

withthelongandswiftriding。NeverhadIriddensofar，andsofast，freshhorsesstandingsaddledandbridledforThomasScottandmeateverystage，butthebeastwhichIhadhiredIsentbackfromthefirststagetominehostofthe"HangingSword。”NotwithoutlabourIclimbedthestairstothechamberofMessireAmbrose，whobadeussitdown，andcalledforwinetobegivenus，whereofThomasScottdrankwell，butIdaredtakenone，lestmylegsshouldwhollyrefusetheiroffice。

WhenThomashadtoldhowallthecountrylayattheKing"speace，andhowourpurposewastoridetotheKingatSenlis，theknightbadeusrathermakewhathastewemighttoSt。Denis。"Forthere，byto-morrowornextday，theKingisliketobe，andtheassaultwillbedeliveredonParis，comeofitwhatwill。”

Withthishebadeusgoodspeed，but，toguessfromhiscountenance，wasinnohighhopes。And，atsupper，wheretowehadthecompanyofcertainofhismen-at-arms，Icouldwellperceivethattheywerenotinthebestheart。FornowweheardhowtheMaid，beingsorrowfulforthelongdelays，hadbiddentheDucd"AlenconrideforthwithherfromCompiegne"toseePariscloserthanyetshehadseenit。”

TheDucd"Alencon，whoinlatedayshassostrangelyforgottentheloyaltyofhisyouth，wasthenfaintomarchwithher，fortheytwoweretheclosestfriendsthatmightbe。ThereforetheyhadpassedbywayofSenlis，wheretheywerejoinedbysomeforceofmen-at-

arms，andso，onthethirdday"smarch，theycametoSt。Denis，wheretheywerenowlying。HereitisthatthekingsofFrancehavebeenburiedfortheseeighthundredyears，inthegreatAbbey。

"NomDieu!"saidoneofthosewhospokewithus。"YoumightdeemthatourKingisnowisepressedtoseetheplacewherehisforefatherslie。ForD"Alenconisriding，nowandagain，toSenlis，torousetheKing，andmakehimmarchtoSt。Denis，withthearmy，thattheassaultmaybegiven。Butiftheywerebiddinghimtohisownfuneral，insteadoftoagentlepassageofarms，hecouldnotmakemoreexcuses。ThereareskirmishesunderPariswalls，andatthegates，daybyday，andtheMaidrideshereandthere，consideringofthebestplacefortheonslaught。ButtheKingtarries，andwithouthimandthearmytheycanventureonnogreatvaliance。Nevertheless，comehemust，iftheybringhimboundinacart。Wherefore，ifyouwantyourpartinwhatistoward，youdowelltomakenolongtarryinghere。”

Iwasofthesamemind，andastheKingwasshortlytobelookedforatSt。Denis，werodethitherearlynextmorning，withwhatspeedwemight。Onourleft，likeacloud，wasthesmokeofParis，makingmeunderstandwhatagreatcityitwas，muchgreaterthanOrleans。

Beforeus，faraway，werethetalltowersofthechapelofSt。

Denis，tobeourguide!Weheard，also，thenoiseofordnancebeingfired，andthereforemadethegreaterhaste，andwesorodethat，aboutsixhoursafternoon，ontheEveoftheNativityofourBlessedLady，wereachedthegatesofthetown。Herewefoundgreatpressoffolk，mencomingandgoing，somecarryingthewounded，fortherehadbeenaskirmishthatday，atoneoftheParisgates，whencecamethesoundofcannonandculverins，andwehadwonlittleadvantage。

AtthegatesofSt。DenisweaskedwherethequartersoftheScotsmen-at-armsmightbe，andweretoldinthechapel，whitherweneedednoguide。But，aswewentupthestreet，wesawwomenleaningforthfromthewindows，laughingwiththemen-at-arms，andbeckoningtothem，andbythetaverndoorsmanyweresittingdrinking，withgirlsbesidethem，andotherswereplayingdice，andmanyanoathweheard，andfoulwords，asiscustomaryinacamp。VerilyIsawwellthatthiswasnotthearmyofmencleanconfessedandofholylifewhohadfollowedtheMaidfromBloistoOrleans。Inplaceofpriests，herewereharlots，and，forhymns，ribaldsongs，formenhadflockedinfromeveryquarter；soldiersoftherobbercompanies，Bretons，Germans，Italians，Spaniards，alltalkingintheirownspeech，rude，foul，anddisorderly。Sowetookourway，asbestweknight，throughthepress，hearingoathsenoughifourhorsestrodovernearanyman，andseeingdaggersdrawn。

Itwasapleasuretocomeoutonthegreatparvise，wherethered，white，andgreenofourScotswerethecommonestcolours，andwheretheairwaslessfoulandnoisomethaninthenarrowwynds。Highaboveusthegreattowersoftheabbeyshoneredandgoldeninthelightofthesinkingsun，whilebeneathallwasbrown，dusk，anddimwithsmoke。OnthesetowersIcouldgladlyhavelookedlong，andnotwearied。Fortheyareallcarvenwiththeholycompanyofthemartyrsandsaints，liketheAngelswhomJacobsawascendingbytheladderintoheaven；evensothatblessedcompanyseemedtoscaleupwardsfromthefilthofthestreet，andthedarkness，andthedin，rightontowardsthegoldenheightsoftheCityofGod。AndbeneaththemliethesacredbonesofallthekingsofFrance，fromthedaysofSt。Dagoberteventoourowntime，alllaidtheretorestwherenomanshalldisturbthem，tilltheAngels"Trumpetcalls，andtheDayofJudgmentisathand。VerilyitisasolemnplaceforaChristianmantothinkon，andIwasgazingthereupon，asinadream，whenonepluckedmysleeve，andturning，IsawRandalRutherford，allhisteethshowinginagrin。

"Welcome，"hecried。"Youhavemadegoodspeed，andthebeginningofafrayisbetterthantheendofafeast。And，bySt。Boswell，to-morrowweshallhaveit，lad!TheKingcameinto-day——lateisbetterthannever——andto-morrowwegowiththeMaid，togivethesepock-puddingsatasteofScottishsteel。”

"AndtheMaid，whereisshe，Randal？"

"ShelodgesbeyondtheParisgate，atthewindmill，wherefromshedrovetheEnglishsomedaysagone。”

"Whereforenotinthetown？"Iasked。

"Mayhapbecauseshelikestobenearherwork，andwouldthatallwereofhermind。Andmayhapshelovesnotthesightofthewencheswhomshewaswonttodrivefromthecamp，aboveallnowthatshehasbrokentheHolySwordofFierbois，smitingalasswiththeflatoftheblade。”

"Ilikenottheomen，"saidI。

"Freitsfollowthemthatfreitsfear，"saidRandal，inourcountryspeech。"AndtheMaidisnoneofthese。"Wellitwas，"saidshe，"thatItrustednotmylifetoabladethatbreakssoeasily，"and，inthenextskirmish，shetookaBurgundianwithherownhands，andnowwearshissword，whichisagoodcutandthrustpiece。Butcome，"hecried，"ifneedsyoumustseetheMaid，youhavebuttowalktotheParisgate，andsotothewindmillhardby。AndyourhorseIwillstablewithourown，andforquarters，welivingScotsmen-at-armsfareaswellasthedeadkingsofFrance，forto-nightwelieinthechapel。”

Idismounted，andhegavemeanembrace，and，holdingmeatarms"-

length，laughed-

"Youneverwereatallman，Norman，butyoulooksound，andwhole，andtoughforyourinches，likeaHighlandman"sdirk。Nowbeoffonyourerrand，andwhenitisdone，lookformeyonderatthesignof"TheCrane，""pointingacrosstheparvisetoatavern，"forIkeepawordtotellinyourlugthatfewwotof，andthatitwilljoyyoutohear。To-morrow，lad，wegoinforemost。”

Andso，smiling，hetookmyhorseandwenthisway，whistling，"Hey，tuttie，tattie!"

VerilyhiswasthegladdestfaceIhadseen，andhiswordsputsomeheartintome，whereas，oftherestsaveourownScots，IlikedneitherwhatIsaw，norwhatIheard。

Ihadbuttowalkdownthestreet，throughelbowingthrongsofgrooms，pages，men-at-arms，andarchers，tillIfoundtheParisGate，whencethewindmillwasplaintobehold。ItwassuchanoldplaceasweseeinNorthernFrance，plain，strong，withredwallswhichtheyellowmossesstain，andwithhighgreyroofs。TheMaid"sbanner，withtheHolyDove，andtheSacredName，droopedabovethegateway，andbesidethedoor，onthemounting-stone，sattheboy，LouisdesCoutes，herpage。Hewasaladoffifteenyears，merryenoughofhisnature，andalwayswentgailyclad，andwearinghisyellowhairlong。Butnowhesatthoughtfulonthemounting-stone，cuttingatabitofwoodwithhisdagger。

"Soyouhavecometotakeyourpart，"hesaid，whenwehadsalutedeachtheother。"Faith，Ihopeyoubringgoodluckwithyou，andmorejoytomymistress，forweneedallthatyoucanbring。”

"Why，whatailsallofyou？"Iasked。"Ihaveseenneverahopefulface，savethatofoneofmyowncountrymen。Youarenotafraidofacrackonyourcurlypate，areyou？"

"Curlyornot，myheadknowsbetterthantoknockitselfagainstPariswalls。Theyarethick，andhigh，andthewindowsofeveryhouseonthewallarepiledwithstones，todropuponus。AndI

knownotwellwhy，butthingsgoillwithus。IneversawHer，"andhenoddedtowardstheopengateway，"sooutofcomfort。Whenthereisfightingtoward，sheislikeherself，andsheisthefirsttoriseandthelasttoliedown。But，inallourwaitinghere，shehaspassedmanyanhourprayinginthechapel，wherethedeadkingslie，yetherfaceisnotgladwhenshecomesforth。Itwaswonttoshinestrangely，whenshehadbeenpraying，atthechapelinCouldray，whilewewereatChinon。Butnowitisotherwise。

Moreover，wesawParisverycloseto-day，andtherewereovermanyredcrossesofSt。Georgeuponthewalls。Andto-morrowistheFeastoftheBlessedVirgin，nodayforbloodshed。”

"Faintheart!"saidI(and，indeed，aftertheassaultonParis，LouisdesCouteswentback，androdenomorewiththemaid)。"Thebettertheday，thebetterthedeed!MayIgowithin？"

"Iwillgowithyou，"hesaid，"forshesaidthatyouwouldcome，andbademebringyoutoher。”

Weenteredthegatewaytogether，andbeforeuslaythesquareofthefarm，strewnwithlitter，andfromwithinthebyreweheardthemilkringinthepails，forthewomenweremilkingthecows。Andtherewebothstoodastonished，forwesawtheMaidasneveryetIhadseenher。Shewasbareheaded，butworetherestofherharness，holdinginherhandameasureofcorn。Allthefowlsoftheairseemedtobeabouther，expectingtheirmeat。Butshewasnotthrowingthegrainamongthem，forshestoodasstillasagravenimage，and，wonderfultotell，adovewasperchedonhershoulder，andamaviswasnestlinginherbreast，whilemanybirdsflewroundher，chieflydoveswithburnishedplumage，flittingasitwerelovingly，andsoftlybrushinghernowandagainwiththeirwings。

ManyatimehadIhearditsaidthat，whileshewasyetachild，thewildbirdswouldcomeandnestleinthebosomoftheMaid，butIhadneverbelievedthetale。YetnowIsawthisthingwithmineowneyes，afairsightandamarvellous，sobeautifulshelooked，withheadunhelmeted，andthewildfowlandtameflittingaboutherandaboveher，thedovescrooningsweetlyintheirsoftvoices。Thenherlipsmoved，andshespoke-

"TresdoulxDieu，enl"onneurdevostresainctepassion，jevousrequier，sevousmeaimes，quevousmerevelezcequejedoyfairedemainpourvostregloire!"

Soshefellsilentagain，andtomeitseemedthatImustnotanylongerlookuponthatholymystery，so，crossingmyself，Ilaidmyhandontheshoulderofthepage，andwewentsilentlyfromtheplace。

"Haveyoueverseenitinthismanner？"Iwhispered，whenwewereagainwithoutthefarmyard。

"Never，"saidhe，trembling，"thoughonceIsawastrangerthing。”

"Andwhatmaythathavebeen？"

"Nay，Ispokeofittoher，andshemademeswearthatIneverwouldrevealittolivingsoul，saveinconfession。Butsheisnotasotherwomen。”

WhathehadinhismindIknownot，butIbadehimgoodeven，andwentbackintothetown，wherelightswerebeginningtoshowinthecasements。Inthespacewithinthegatesweremanycartsgathered，fulloffaggotswherewithtochokeupthefosseunderParis，andtablestothrowabovethefaggots，andsocrossovertotheassault。

CHAPTERXXI——HOWAHUNDREDSCOTSSETFORTHTOTAKEPARISTOWN

Enteringthetavernof"TheCrane，"IfoundthedoorwayscrowdedwitharchersofourGuard，amongwhomwasRandalRutherford。

WhenIhadcome，theywalkedintoachamberonthegroundfloor，callingforwine，andbiddingcertainFrenchburgessesgoforth，whoneedednosecondtelling。Thedoorwasshut，twosentinelsofourswerepostedoutside，andthenRandalverycarefullysoundedallthepanelsoftheroom，lookingheedfullylestthereshouldbeanyholewherebywhatpassedamongusmightbeheardinanotherpartofthehouse，buthefoundnothingofthekind。

Theroombeingfull，somesittingandsomestanding，aswecould，RandalbadeFatherUrquhart，ourchaplain，tellustowhatendwehadbeencalledtogether。

Thegoodfatherthereuponstoodup，andspokeinalowvoice，butsothatallcouldhear，forwewereallhushedtolisten。

"Thatistheman，thatisBrotherRichard。Now，asIwasbusytendingthewounded，intheskirmishthreedaysagone，thisCarmelitewasaboutthesamedutyforthoseofhisparty。Heputintomyhandaslipofpaper，whereinBrotherRichardcommendedhimtoanyScotorFrenchmanoftheKing"sparty，asanhonestman，andafriendoftheKing"s。WhenIhadreadthis，theCarmelitespokewithmeinLatin，andinalowvoice。Hismatterwasthis:InParis，hesaid，thereisastrongpartyofArmagnacs，whohave，asweallknow，alongscoretosettlewiththemofBurgundy。Theyareofthecommonfolkandlabourers，butamongthemaremanyrichburgesses。Theyhavebandedthemselvestogetherbyanoathtotakeourpart，withinthetown，ifoncewewinagate。Hereisacedulesignedbythemwiththeirnamesormarks，andthishegavemeasaproofofgoodfaith。”

Herehehandedalongslipofparchment，allcoveredwithwriting，toRandal，anditwentroundamongus，butfewtherewereclerks，savemyself。Ilookedonit，andthenames，manyofthemattestedbysealswithcoatarmour，wereplaintoberead。

"Theircounselistomusterinarmssecretly，andtoconveythemselves，onebyone，intocertainhouseshardbythePortSt。

Denis，wherecertainoftheirpartydwell。Now，veryearlyto-

morrowmorning，beforedawn，thepurposeoftheEnglishistosendforthacompanyofahundredmen-at-arms，whowillmakeasuddenonsetonthewindmill，wheretheMaidliesto-night，andsowilltakeher，iftheymay。”

"BySt。BrideofDouglas，"saidoneofus，"theywillgettheirkailthroughthereek，forourguardistolieinarmsaboutthewindmill，andbefirstinthefieldto-morrow。”

"Thecraftis，then，"FatherUrquhartwenton，"thatweshalldestroythisEnglishcompanywithswordorarrow，butwithnoalarmofculverinsorcannon。Meanwhile，somefivescoreofyouwillputonto-nighttheredcrossofSt。George，withplainarmour，sothattheEnglishshallmistakeyoufortheirownmenreturningfromthesally，andsomefewmeninourowncoloursandcoatsyouwillhalewithyouasprisoners。And，ifoneofyoucanbutattirehimselfinsomegearoftheMaid"s，withahucqueofhers，scarlet，anddightwiththeLiliesofFrance，theEnglishgate-wardswillopentoyouallthemoreeagerly。”

"BythebonesofSt。Boswell!"criedRandalinhisloudvoice，butthegoodFatherputahandonhismouth。

"Quiet，man!"hesaid。

"BytheblessedbonesofSt。Boswell，"Randalsaidagain，asnearawhisperashecouldattainto，"theladyofthelinen-basketshallcomeastheMaid。Wehavenomansomaidenly。”

Theyallshouted，laughing，andbeatingthetableswithhandsandtankards。

"Silence!"criedRobinLindsay。

"Nay，thelouderwelaugh，thelesswillanysuspectwhatisforward，"saidRandalRutherford。

"Norman，willyouplaythispartinthemumming？"

Iwasashamedtosayno，thoughIlikeditnotoverwell，andI

noddedwithmyhead。

"Howmaidenlyheblushes!"criedone，andtherewasanotherclamour，tillthewallsrang。

"Sobeitthen，"saysFatherUrquhart，"andnowyouknowall。ThehonestArmagnacswillrisesosoonasyouarewellwithinthegate。

TheycommandbothsidesofthestreetthatleadstothePortSt。

Denis，andfaith，iftheEnglishwanttotakeit，whenahundredScotsarewithin，theywillhavetosallyforthbyanothergate，andcomefromtheoutside。AndyouaretorunupthebannerofScotlandoverthePort，whenonceyouholdit，sotheFrenchattackwillbethereby。”

"WeplayedthesamegamebeforeVerneuilfight，andwonit，"saidone；"willtheEnglishhaveforgottenthetrick？"

"BySt。Bride，whenoncetheyseeushalingtheMaidalong，theywillforgetoldstratagemsofwar。Thisisanewdevice!Ohtoseetheirfaceswhenwecry"St。Andrew，"andseton!"

"Iamnotsooldasyouallinthewars，"Ibegan。

"No，MademoisellelaLavandiere，butyouareoftherightspirit，withyourwench"sface。”

"But，"Isaid，"howiftheEnglishthataretoattackthewindmillinthefirstgreyofthemorningcomenottohand-strokes，ortaketotheirheelswhentheyfindusawake，andwinbacktoParisbeforeus？Ourcraft，methinks，istoholdtheminanambush，butwhatifwecatchthemnot？Letbutonerunawaybeswiftoffoot，andweareundone。”

"Thereisthistobesaid，"quothFatherUrquhart，"thattheEnglishcompanyistosallyforthbythePortSt。Denis，anditisthePortSt。DenisthatourArmagnacswillbeguarding。NowIspeakasamanofpeace，forthatismycalling。ButhowwoulditbeifyourhundredmenandNormansetforthinthedark，andlayhidnotveryfarfromtheSt。DenisGate？Thensomewhileafterthelightingofthebale-firesfromthewindmill，tobelitwhentheEnglishseton，makestraightforthegate，andcry，"St。GeorgeforEngland!"

"Ifyouseenotthebale-fireseredaylight，youwillcomebackwithwhatspeedyoumay；butifyoudoseethem，then——"

"Father，youhavenotlivedlongontheHighlandlinefornothing，"

quothRobinLindsay。

"Averyproperstratagemindeed，"Isaid，"butnow，gentlemen，thereisonelittlematter；howwillSirHughKennedytakethisdeviceofours？Ifwetryitandfail，withouthisprivity，wehadbetterneverreturn，butdieunderPariswall。And，evenifweholdthegate，andParistownistaken，faithIwouldratheraffrontthefireofJohntheLorrainerthanthefaceofSirHugh。”

Nomanspoke，therewerenottwomindsonthismatter，so，aftersomechafferofwords，itwasagreedtosendFatherUrquhartwithRandaltoshowthewholeschemetoSirHugh，whiletherestofusshouldawaittheircomingbackwithananswer。Innolongtimetheywerewithus，thefatherveryredandshame-faced。

"Hegavethegoodfathertheroughsideofhistongue，"quothRandal，"forspeakingfirsttome，andnottohim。Happilywewereovercunningtosayaughtofourgatheringhere。Butwhenhehadlethisbileflow，heswore，andsaidthathecouldspareahundreddyvourloonsofhiscommand，onthecastofthedice，and，nowsilenceall!notawordoracry，"herehehelduphishand，"wearetotake"fortuneofwar"!"

Everymangrinnedgladlyonhisneighbour，indeadstillness。

"Now，"saidRandal，"slipoutbythreesandfours，quietly，andtoquarters；butyou，Norman，waitwithme。”

CHAPTERXXII——HOWNORMANLESLIEFAREDINPARISTOWN

"Norman，mylad，allourfortunesaremade，"saidRandaltomewhenwewereleftalone。"Therewillbegiltspursandgoldforeveryoneofus，andthepickoftheplunder。”

"Ilikeitnot，"Ianswered；whereonhecaughtmerudelybybothshoulders，lookingcloseintomyface，sothatthefumeofthewinehehadbeendrinkingreachedmynostrils。

"IsaLeslieturningrecreant？"heaskedinalowvoice。"AprettytaletotellinthekingdomofFife!"

Istoodstill，myheartveryhotwithanger，andsaidnoword，whilehisgripclosedonme。

"Leavehold，"Icriedatlast，andIsworeanoath，maytheSaintsforgiveme，——"Iwillnotgo!"

Heloosedhisgrasponme，andstruckonehandhardintotheother。

"ThatIshouldseethis，andhavetotellit!"hesaid，andsteppingtothetable，hedranklikeonethirsty，andthenfelltopacingthechamber。Heseemedtobethinkingslowly，ashewipedandpluckedathisbeard。

"Whatisitthatailsyou？"heasked。"Lookyou，thisonfallandstratagemofwarmaynotmiscarry。Perditiontakethefool，itissafe!"

"HaveIbeenseekingsafetysinceyouknewme？"Iasked。

"Verilyno，andthereforeIwonderatyouthemore；butyouhavebeenlongsick，andmen"smindsarechangeful。Considerthething，nomDieu!Iftherebenotwolightsshownfromthemill，westepbacksilently，andallisasitwas；theEnglishhavethoughtworseoftheirnightonfall，ortheCarmelite"smessagewasrusedeguerre。Butifweseethetwolights，thenthehundredEnglishareattemptingthetakingofthemill；theSt。DenisGateisopenfortheirreturn，andwearelookedforbyourArmagnacswithinParis。

Weriskbutashorttusslewithsomedrowsypock-puddings，andthenthetownisours。TheGateisasstrongtoholdagainstanenemyfromwithinasfromwithout。Why，man，runtoLouisdeCoutes，andbegacastsuitoftheMaid"s；shehasplenty，forsheisawomaninthis，thatdearlyshelovesrichattire。”

"Randal，"Isaid，"Iwillgowithyou，andthegladdestladinFrancetobegoing，butIwillgoinmyownproperguiseasaman-

at-arms。ToweartheraimentoftheBlessedMaid，amanandasinnerlikeme，Iwillinnowiseconsent；itisneitherseemlynorhonourable。Takeyourownway，putmeunderarrestifyouwill，andspoilmyfortunes，andmakemeamandisgraced，butIwillnotwearherholyraiment。Itisnotthedeedofagentleman，orofaChristian。”

Hepluckedathisbeard。"Iampartlywithyou，"hesaid。"AndyetitwereagreatbourdetoplayoffontheEnglish，andmostliketotakethemandtobetoldofinballadandchronicle，likeoneofWallace"sonfalls。For，seeingthePucelle，astheywilldeem，inourhands，theywillthinkallsafe，andwelcomeusopenarmed。O

Norman，canwedonothing？Stop，willyouwearanotherwoman"sshortkirtleoveryourcuissesandtaslet？Sheshallbenosaint，I

warrantyou，but，forasinner，abonnylassandamerry。AsagentlemanIdeemthisfairstratagemofwar。IfIwereyourownbrother，——theSaintshavehissoulintheirkeeping，——Iwouldstillbeofthiscounsel。Willyou，mylad？"

Helookedsosad，andyetwithalsocomical，thatIheldoutmyhandtohim，laughing。

"Disguisemeasyouwill，"Isaid，"IhavegonemummingasMaidMarionbeforenow，intheRobinHoodplay，atSt。Andrews"；andasI

spoke，IsawthetallthatchedroofsofSouthStreet，andthePrioryGatesopen，thebuddingelmsabovethegardenwallofSt。Leonard"s，andalltheMay-dayrevelofayearagonepouringoutintothegoodtown。

"Youspeaklikeyourselfnow，blessyourbeardlessface!Comeforth，"hesaid，takingalongpullatatankard，——"thatnothingmightbewasted，"——andsowewenttoquarters，andRandaltrudgedoff，sooncomingback，laughing，withtheredkirtle。OurmenhadbeenverybusyfurbishinguptheredcrossofSt。Georgeontheirbreasts，andstrippingthemselvesofanysignofourowncolours。

Asformybusking，neverhadmaidsuchroughtire-women；butbyonewayoranother，theapparelwasaccommodated，andtheyallsaidthat，atalittledistanceofground，theEnglishwouldbefinelyfooled，andmustdeemthattheMaidherselfwasbeingledtothemcaptive。

Itwasnowinthesmallhoursofmorning，dark，savefortheglimmerofstars，hereandthereinacloudysky。FatherUrquharthimselfwentuptotheroofofthemill，tosayhisorisons，havingwithhimcertainfaggotsofpitch-wood，forlightingthebeacon-firesifneedwere；and，asitchanced，brazierstothisendstoodreadyontheroof，asiscustomonourownBorderkeeps。

WeScots，ahundredinall，inEnglishcolours，withthreeorfourasprisoners，inourownbadges，faredcautiously，andwithnowordspoken，throughdewywoods，orlurkingalongindryditcheswherebestwemight，towardstheSt。DenisGateofParis。Ihadneverbeenonanightsurpriseorbushmentbefore，andImarvelledhoworderlytheotherskept，asmenusedtosuchwork，whereasIwentstumblingandblindlings。Atlength，withinsightofthetwinklinglightsofParis，andahundredyardsortherebyoffthecommonway，wewerehaltedinalittlewood，andbiddentoliedown；nomanwassomuchastowhisper。Someslept，Iknow，forIheardtheirsnoring，butformypart，Ineverwaslessinlovewithsleep。Whentheskyfirstgrewgrey，sothatwecoulddimlyseeshapesofthings，weheardalightnoiseofmarchingmenontheroad。

"TheEnglish!"whisperedhethatlaynextme。"Hush!"breathedRandal，andsothefootstepswentby，noneofusdaringtostir，forfearoftherustleintheleaves。

Thesoundsoonceased；beliketheyhadstruckoffintotheseveryfieldswherethroughwehadjustmarched。

"Now，RobinLindsay，climbintoyonderash-tree，andkeepyoureyesonthemillandthebeacon-fires，"saidRandal。

Robinscrambledup，noteasily，becauseofhisarmour，andwewaited，asitseemed，foranendlesstime。

"Whatisthatsound，"whisperedone，"soheavyandsohoarse？"

Itwasmyownheartbeating，asifitwouldburstmyside，butI

saidnought，andeventhenRobinslidfromthetree，aslightlyashemight。Hehelduptwofingers，withoutaword，forasignthatthebeaconswerelighted，andnodded。

"Downall，"whisperedRandal。

"Givethemtime，givethemtime。”

Sotherewelay，aswemust，butthatwasthehardestpartofthewaiting，andnosoundbutofthefowlsandwildthingsarousing，andthecryofsentinelsfromPariswalls，cametoourears。

AtlengthRandalsaid，"Upall，andonwards!"

Wearose，loosenedourswordsintheirsheaths，andsocrossedtotheroad。WecouldnowseeParisplainly，andwereclosebythefarmoftheMathurins，whilebeyondwasthelevellandtheycall"LesPorcherons，"withslopesaboveit，andmanytrees。

"Now，Norman，"saidRandal，"whenwecomewithinclearsightofthegate，twoofusshallseizeyoubythearmsasprisoner；thenweallcry"St。George!"andsetoffrunningtowardsParis。Thequicker，thelesstimefordiscovery。”

So，havingmarchedorderlyandspeedily，whilethebanksoftheroadwayhidus，wesetofftorun，RandalandRobingrippingmewhenwewerefullinsightofthemoat，ofthedrawbridge(whichwasdown)，andthegate。

Thenourmenallcried，"St。GeorgeforEngland!Thewitchistaken!"AndsorunningdisorderlyandfastwemadeforthePort，whileEnglishmen-at-armsmightbeplainlyseenandheard，gazing，wavingtheirhands，andshoutingfromthebattlementsofthetwogate-towers。Downtheroadweran，pastcertainsmallhousesofpeasants，andpastagibbetwithamarauderhangingfromit，justoverthedryditch。

Ourfeet，wethreeleading，withsometwentyinaclumphardbehindus，rangloudonthedrawbridgeoverthedryfosse。Thebridgeplanksquiveredstrangely；wewerenowwithinthegateway，whendownfelltheportcullisbehindus，thedrawbridge，creaking，flewup，acrowdofangryfacesandredcrosseswerepressingonus，andablowfellonmysalade，makingmereel。Iwasheldinstrongarms，swordsshoneoutaboveme，Istumbledonabody——itwasRobinLindsay"s——IheardRandalgiveacurseashisbladebrokeonahelmet，andcry，"Iyieldme，rescueornorescue。”Thenburstforthablastofshouts，andwordsofcommandandyells，andEnglishcurses。Cannon-shotroaredoverhead，andmymouthwasfullofsulphursmokeanddust。Theywerefiringonthoseofourmenwhohadnotsetfootonthedrawbridgewhenitflewup。Soontheportcullisroseagain，andthebridgefell，toletinabandofEnglisharchers，throughwhomourScotswerecuttingtheirwaybacktowardsSt。Denis。

OfallthisIgotglimpses，ratherthanclearsight，asthethrongwithinthegatewayreeledandshifted，crushingmesorely。

PresentlytheEnglishfromwithouttroopedin，laughingandcursing，welcomedbytheirfellows，andeverymanofthempryingintomyface，andgibing。Ithadbeenasettledplan:wewerebetrayed，itwasoverclear，andnowaharshvoicebehindmakingmeturn，Isawthewolf"sfaceofFatherThomasunderhishood，andhisyellowfangs。

"Ha!fairclerk，theythatbenoclerksthemselvesmayyethireclerkstoworkforthem。Howlikeyoumybrother，theCarmelite？"

ThenIknewtoowellhowthisstratagemhadallbeenlaidbythatdevil，andmyheartturnedtowaterwithinme。

Randalwasledaway，butroundmethecrowdgatheredintheopenspace，forIwashaledintothegreatergatetowerbeyondthewetfosse，andfromallquartersransoldiers，andmen，women，andchildrenofthetowntomockme。

"Beholdher，"criedFatherThomas，climbingonamounting-stone，asonewhowouldpreachtothepeople，whilethesoldiersthatheldmelaughed。

"Beholdthiswonderfulwonderofallwonders，themiraculousMaidoftheArmagnacs!Sheboastedthat，byhelpoftheSaints，shewouldbethefirstwithinthecity，andlo!sheisthefirst，butshehascomewithoutherarmy。Sheiseverywayamiracle，markyou，forshehathadownonherchin，suchasnocommonmaidenswear；andifshewouldbutspeakafewwordsofcounsel，methinkshertonguewouldsoundstrangelyScottishforaLorrainer。”

"Speak，speak!"shoutedthethrong。

"Dogs，"Icried，inFrench，"dogsandcowards!YoushallseetheMaidcloserbeforenightfall，andflyfromherasyouhavefledbefore。”

"SaidInotso？"askedBrotherThomas。

"Amiracle，amiracle，theMaidhathaScotstongueinherhead。”

Therewithstonesbegantofall，butthefather，holdinguphishand，badethemultituderefrain。

"Harmhernot，goodbrethren，forto-morrowthisMaidshallbetriedbytheordealoffireifthatbethewillofourgovernors。Thenshallweseeifshecanworkmiraclesornot，"andsohewentongibing，whiletheygrinnedhorriblyuponme。NeversawIsomanyvilefacesofthebasestpeoplecometogether，fromtheirfilthydensinParis。Butasmyeyesranoverthemwithloathing，IbeheldafaceIknew；thefaceofthatviolerwomanwhohadbeeninourcompanybeforewecametoChinon，andlo!perchedonhershoulder，chainedwithachainfastenedroundherwrist，wasElliot"sjackanapes!Toseethepoorbeastthatmyladylovedinsuchillcompany，seemedasifitwouldbreakmyheart，andmyheadfellonmybreast。