第13章

"YouwillnotrideintoRoueninEnglishguise？Theywillstraightwayhangyouforaspy，andthereinislittlehonour。”

"Mypurposeissomedealsubtler，"Isaid，withalaugh，"butletmekeepmyowncounsel。”

"Sobeit，"saidhe，"awilfulmanmusthavehisway。AndnowI

drinktoyourbetterwisdom，andmayyouescapethatropeonwhichyourheartseemstobeset!"

Igraspedhishandonit，andbypointofdaywewereridingoutseawards。Wemadeanonslaughtonavillage，burnedahouseortwain，andseizedcertainwainsofhay，so，intheconfusion，I

slippedforward，androdealoneintoalittlewood。ThereIcladmyselfinEnglishguise，havingcarriedthegearinawalletonmysaddle-bow，andsopushedon，tillatnightfallIcametoacertainlittlefishing-village。There，undercoverofthedark，I

covenantedwithafishermantosetmeacrosstheChannel，IfeigningtobeadeserterwhowasfleeingfromtheEnglisharmy，forfearoftheMaid。

"IwouldwellthatIhadtocarryallthesortofyou，"saidtheboat-master，forIhadofferedhimmyhorse，andagreatrewardinmoney，partdown，andtheotherparttobepaidwhenIsetfootinEngland。Nordidhemakeanytarrying，but，takinghisnetsonboard，asifhewouldbeabouthislawfulbusiness，setsail，withhistwosonsforacrew。Theeastwindservedustoamiracle，and，afterasfairapassageasmightbe，theylandedmeundercloudofnightnotfarfromthegreatportofWinchelsea。

ThatnightIsleptnone，butwalkingfastandwarily，undercoverofafog，Ifetchedacompassabout，andendedbywalkingintothetownofRyebytheroadfromthenorth。HereIwentstraighttothebestinnoftheplace，andcallingaloudforbreakfast，Ibadethedrawerbringminehosttomeinstantly。For，atLouviers，weweresowellservedbyspies，thecountrysidingwithusratherthanwiththeEnglish，thatIknewhowacompanyoftheEarlofWarwick"smenwaslookedforinWinchelseatosailwhentheyhadafairwindforRouen。

MinehostcametomeinaservileEnglishfashion，andaskedmewhatIwould？

"First，ahorse，"saidI，"forminedroppeddeadlastnight，tenmileshenceonthenorthroad，inyourmarshes，Goddamnthem，andyoumayseebymyrustyspurandmirybootthatIhavewalkedfar。

Here，"Icried，pullingoffmyboots，andflingingthemdownontherushesofthefloor，"bidoneofyourvarletscleanthem!Next，breakfast，andapotofyourale；andthenIshallseewhatmannerofhorsesyoukeep，forImustneedsridetoWinchelsea。”

"YouwouldjointhemenunderthebannerofSirThomasGreyofFalloden，Imakenodoubt？"heanswered。"YourspeechsmacksoftheNorthernparts，andthegoodknightcomesfromnolongwaysouthoftheborder。Hismenrodethroughourtownbutfewdaysagone。”

"Andmetheyleftbehindontheway，"Ianswered，"soevilismyluckinhorse-flesh。Butforthisblessedwindoutoftheeastthathindersthem，myhonourwereundone。”

Mytalewasnottoohardofbelief，andbeforenoonIwasonmywaytoWinchelsea，astoutnagenoughbetweenmylegs。

Thefirstman-at-armswhomImetIhailed，biddinghimleadmestraighttoSirThomasGreyofFalloden。"What，youwouldtakeservice？"heasked，inaCumberlandburrthatIknewwell，forindeeditcamereadyenoughonmyowntongue。

"Yea，bySt。Cuthbert，"Ianswered，"forontheMarchesnothingstirs；moreover，Ihaveslainaman，andfledmyowncountry。”

WiththathebadeGoddamnhissoulifIwerenotagoodfellow，andsoledmestraighttothelodgingsoftheknightunderwhosecoloursheserved。TohimItoldthesametale，addingthatIhadheardlateofhislevyingofhismen，otherwiseIhadriddentojoinhimathissettingforth。

"Youhaveseenwar？"heasked。

"OnlyaWarden"sraidortwain，onthemoss-troopingScotsofLiddesdale。BranxholmeIhaveseeninablaze，andhavefacedfireattheCastleoftheHermitage。”

"YouspeakthetongueoftheNorthernparts，"hesaid；"areyounoble？"

"ApoorcousinoftheStoreysofNetherby，"Ianswered，whichwastrueenough；andwhenhequestionedmeaboutmykin，IshowedhimthatIkneweverynameandscutcheonoftheline，mymotherhavinginstructedmeinallsuchloreofherfamily。{38}

"Andwhereforecomeyouherealone，andinsuchplight？"

"Byreasonofasword-strokeatStainishawbankFair，"Iansweredboldly。

"Faith，then，Iseenocausewhy，asyourwillissogood，youshouldnotsoonhaveyourbellyfulofsword-strokes。For，whenoncewehaveburnedthatlimbofthedevil，thePuzel"(forsotheEnglishcalltheMaid)，"weshallshortlydrivetheseforsworndogs，theFrench，backbeyondtheLoire。”

Ifeltmyfacereddeningattheseillwords，soIstooped，asiftoclearmyspurofmire。

"Shortlyshallshetastethetar-barrel，"Ianswered，whereathesworeandlaughed；then，callingaclerk，badehimwritemyindenture，asistheEnglishmanner。Thus，thankstomynorthernEnglishtongue，forwhichIwassorebeatenbytheotherboyswhenI

wasaboymyself，beholdmeaman-at-armsofKingHenry，andsomuchofmyenterprisewasachieved。

Imakenoboastofvalour，andindeedIgreatlyfearedformyneck，bothnowandlater。Formyriskwasthatsomeoneofthemen-at-

armsinRouen，whitherwewerebound，shouldhaveseenmyfaceeitheratOrleans，atParis(whereIwasunhelmeted)，orinthetakingoftheBastilleatCompiegne。Yetmyvisorwasdown，bothatOrleansandCompiegne，andofthosefewwhomarkedmeingirl"sgearinParisnonemightchancetomeetmeatRouen，ortoremembermeinchangedgarments。SoIputaboldbrowonit，forbettermightnotbe。NonecursedthePuzelmoreloudlythanI，and，withoutfeigning，nonelongedsosorelyasIforafairwindtoFrance，whereforeIwasevergoingaboutWinchelseawithmyheadintheair，gazingattheweather-cocks。And，asfortunewouldhaveit，thewindwentabout，andweonboard，andwithnolongdelaywereatRouentown。

CHAPTERXXXI——HOWNORMANLESLIESAWTHEMAIDINHERPRISON

OnarrivinginthetownofRouen，threethingsweremychiefcare，whereofthesecondhelpedmeinthethird。ThefirstwastobelodgedasnearasImighttothecastle，whereintheMaidlay，beingchained(sofellwasthecrueltyoftheEnglish)toherbed。Thenextmatterwastopurveymethreehorsesofthefleetest。Heremyfortuneservedmewell，fortheyoungesquiresandpageswouldeverberidingracesoutsideofthegates，theybeinginnofearofwar，andthetimetilltheMaidwasburnedhungheavyontheirhands。I

therefore，followingthemanneroftheEnglishMarchmen，thrustmyselfforwardinthesesports，andwouldchangehorses，givingmoneytoboot，foranythatoutranmyown。MymoneyIspentwithaveryfreehand，bothinwagersandinfeastingmen-at-arms，sothatIwastakentobeagoodfellow，andIwillinglyletmanymaketheirprofitofme。Intheend，Ihadthreehorsesthat，withalightriderinthesaddle，couldbecaughtbynoneinthewholegarrisonofRouen。

Thirdly，Iwasmostsedulousinallduty，andsowonthefavourofSirThomasGrey，theratherthathecountedcousinswithme，andreckonedthatwewereofsomefar-offkindred，whereinhespokethetruth。Thus，partlyforourcommonblood，partlyforthatIwaseverreadyatcall，andforwardtodohiswill，andpartlybecausenonecouldcarryamessageswifter，oradventurefurthertospyoutanybandsoftheFrench，hekeptmeclosetohim，andtrustedmeashisgalloper。Nay，hegaveme，onoccasion，hissignet，toopenthetowngateswhensoeverhewouldsendmeonanyerrand。Moreover，theman(noblebybirth，butbasebybreeding)whohadthechiefchargeandcustodyoftheMaid，wasthebrother"ssonofSirThomas。HehadtonameJohnGrey，andwasanesquireofthebodyoftheEnglishKing，Henry，thenaboy。Thismiscreantitwasoftenmyfortunetomeet，athisuncle"stable，andtohearhispitilessandcruelspeech。Yet，makingfriends，asScripturecommandsus，oftheMammonofunrighteousness，IsetmyselftowintheaffectionofJohnGreybylaughingathisjestsanddoinghimwhatserviceImight。

OnceortwiceIdroppedtohimawordofmygreatdesiretoseethefamedPuzel，forthetrialsthathadbeenheldinopenhallwerenowdoneinthedungeon，whereonlythebishop，thedoctorsoflaw，andthenotariesmighthearthem。Hernoblebearing，indeed，andwiseanswers(whichwereplainlyputintohermouthbytheSaints，forshewassimpleandignorant)hadgainedmen"shearts。

Oneday，theytoldme，anEnglishlordhadcried——"Thebravelass，pitysheisnotEnglish。”FortotheEnglishalltherestofGod"searthisasNazareth，outofwhichcancomenogoodthing。ThusnonemightseetheMaid，and，onceandagain，IletfallawordinJohnGrey"searconcerningmydesiretolookonherinprison。I

daredmakenoshowofeagerness，thoughnowthemonthofMayhadcome，whichwasbothhergoodandillmonth。ForinMayshefirstwenttoVaucouleursandprophesied，inMayshedeliveredOrleans，andinMayshewastakenatCompiegne。WhereforeIdeemed，asmenwill，thatinMaysheshouldescapeherprison，orinMayshoulddie。Moreover，onthefirstdayofMarchtheyhadaskedher，mockingher-

"Shaltthoubedelivered？"

Andshehadanswered-

"Askmeonthisdaythreemonths，andIshalldeclareittoyou。”

TheEnglish，knowingthis，madeallhastetoendherereMayended，whereforeIhadthemoreoccasionforspeed。

Now，onacertainday，beingMaytheeighth，theheartofJohnGreywasmerrywithinhim。Hehadwelldrunk，andIhadlethimwinofme，atthedice，thatoneofmythreehorseswhichmosthecoveted。

Hethenstruckmeinfriendlyfashionontheback，andcried-

"Anunluckydayforthee，andforEngland。Thisveryday，twoyearsagone，thatlimbofthedevildroveusbyhersorceriesfrombeforeOrleans。Butto-morrow——"andhelaughedgrosslyinhisbeard。

"Storey，youareagoodfellow，thoughafoolatthedice。”

"Faith，Ihavemetmymaster，"Isaid。"ButthelessonyougavemewasworthbaySalkeld，"forsoIhadnamedmyhorse，afteragreatEnglishhouseontheBorderwhodwellattheCastleofCorby。

"Iwilldotheeagoodturn，"hesaid。"YoucravetoseethisPuzel，eretheyputonherthehighwitch"scapforherhellwardjourney。”

"Ishouldlikeitnotill，"Isaid；"itweresomethingtotellmygrandchildren，whenallFranceisEnglishland。”

"Thenyoushallseeher，forthisisyourlastchancetoseeherwhole。”

"Whatmeanyou，fairsir？"Iasked，whilemyheartgaveaturninmybody，andIputoutmyhandtoagreattankardofwine。

"To-morrowthecharityoftheChurchhathresolvedthatsheshallbehadintothetorture-chamber。”

Isetmylipstothetankard，anddranklong，tohidemyface，andforthatIwasnighswooningwithapassionoffearandwrath。

"ThankstoSt。George，"Isaid，"theendisnigh!"

"Theendofthetankard，"quothhe，lookingintoit，"hathalreadycome。YoudrinklikeamanoftheLandDebatable。”

YetIwasinsuchcasethat，thoughbycustomIdrinklittle，thegreatdraughttouchednotmybrain，anddidbutgivemeheart。

"YoumightchallengeatskinkingthatgreatDanishknightwhowaswithusunderOrleans，SirAndrewHaggardwashisname，andhisbearingswere……"{39}

Sohewasrunningon，forhehimselfhaddrunkmorethanhisshare，whenIbroughthimbacktomymatter。

"ButastouchingthisPuzel，howmayIhavemyviewofher，thatyougraciouslyofferedme？"

"Mymenchangeguardatcurfew，"hesaid；"fivecomeoutandfivegoin，andIshallbidthemseekyouhereatyourlodgings。Sonow，farewell，andyourrevengewiththediceyoushallhavewhensoyouwill。”

"Nay，pardonmeonemoment:whenrelieveyoutheguardthatentersatcurfew？"

"Anhourafterpointofday。But，nowIbethinkme，youscarcewillcaretopassallthenightinthePuzel"scompany。Hastthoupaperorparchment？"

Isetpaperandinkbeforehim，whosaid-

"Nay，writeyourself；Iamnogreatclerk，yetIcansignandseal。”

Therewith，athiswording，IsetdownanordertotheCastleportertoletmeforthasearlyinthenightasIwould。Thispasshesignedwithhisname，andsealedwithhisring，bearinghisarms。

"SoIwishyoujoyofthistrystandbonnefortune，"hesaid，anddeparted。

Ihadtwohoursbeforemeerecurfewrang，andthetimewasmorethanIneeded。ThereforeIwentfirsttotheChurchofSt。Ouen，whichisverygreatandfair，andtherecleanconfessedme，andmademyorisonsthat，ifitwereGod"swill，thisenterprisemightturntoHishonour，andtothesalvationoftheMaid。AndpitifullyI

besoughtMadameSt。CatherineofFierbois，thatasshehaddeliveredme，asinner，shewoulddelivertheSisteroftheSaints。

NextIwentbacktomylodgings，andtherebadethehostlertohavemytwobeststeedssaddledandbridledinstall，bypointofday，foracouncilwasbeingheldthatnightintheCastle，andIandanotherofSirThomas"scompanymightbesentearlywithamessagetotheBishopofAvranches。Thisholyman，asthen，wasacauseoftroubleanddelaytotheRegentandPierreCauchon，BishopofBeauvais，becausehewasjust，andfellnotinwiththeirtreasons。

NextIcladmyselfindoubleraiment，doubletabovedoublet，andhoseoverhose，mydoubletsbearingtheredcrossofSt。George。

OverallIthrewagreatmantle，fallingtothefeet，asifIfearedthenightchills。ThereafterImadeafaircopyofmyownwritinginthepassgiventomebyJohnGrey，andcopiedhissignaturealso，andfeignedhissealwithasealofclay，foritmightchancethattwopassesprovedbetterthanone。ThenIputinalittlewallethangingtomygirdlethesignetofSirThomasGrey，andthepassgiventomebyJohnGrey，alsoanink-hornwithpenandpaper，andinmyhand，secretly，IheldthatphialwhichIhadboughtoftheapothecaryinTours。AllmygoldandjewelsIhidaboutmybody；I

sharpenedmyswordanddagger，andthenhadnomoretodobutwaittillcurfewrang。

Thiswastheweariestpartofall；forwhat，Ithought，ifJohnGreyhadforgottenhispromise，thewinebeingabouthiswits。ThereforeIwalkedhitherandthitherinmychamber，inmuchmisdoubt；butatthechimeofcurfewIheardrudevoicesbelow，andaheavysteponthestairs。Itwasaman-at-armsofthebasestsort，who，lurchingwithhisshoulderagainstmydoor，camein，andsaidthatheandhisfellowswaitedmypleasure。ThereonIshowedhimthebestcountenance，andbademyhostfillapannierwithmeatandcakesandwine，topassthehoursintheprisonmerrily。Imyselfrandownintothehost"scellar，andwasverybusyintastingwine，forI

wouldhavethebest。Andinmakingmychoice，whilethehoststoopedoveracasktodrawafreshtankard，Ipouredallthedrugsofmyphialintoalargepewtervesselwithalid，filleditwithwine，and，tastingit，sworeitwouldservemyturn。Thisflagon，suchaswecalla"tappithen"inmycountry，butfargreater，I

borewithmeupthecellarstairs，andgaveittooneoftheguard，biddinghimspillnotadrop，orheshouldgothirsty。

Thelourdaud，thatwastheircaptain，carriedthepannier，and，laughing，wecrossedthestreetandthemoat，givingtheword"Bedford。”TotheporterIshowedmypass，tellinghimthat，thoughIwasloathtodisturbhim，Icountednottowatchallnightinthecell，whereforeIgavehimagoldpieceforthetroublehemighthaveinlettingmegoforthatanhouruntimely。Herewithhewaswellcontent，andso，passingthewordtothesentinelateachpost，weentered。

Andnow，indeed，myheartbeatsothatmybodyseemedtoshakewithhopeandfearasIwalked。AtthedoorofthechamberwhereintheMaidlaywemetherguardscomingforth，whocriedroughly，biddinghergoodeven，andtothinkwellofwhatwaitedher，meaningthetorments。Theytumbleddownthestairslaughing，whilewewentin，andIlast。Itwasadarkvaultedchamberwithonewindowneartheroof，narrowandheavilybarred。Intherecessbythewindowwasabrazierburning，andcastingasmuchshadowaslightbyreasonofthesmoke。Herealsowasarudetable，stainedwithfoulcirclesofpot-rims，andtherewerefiveorsixstools。Onaweightyoakenbedlayoneinman"sraiment，blackinhue，herfacedownwards，andherarmsspreadoverherneck。Itcouldscarcebethatsheslept，butshelaylikeonedead，onlyshudderingwhenthelourdaud，thecaptainoftheguard，smoteherontheshoulder，asking，inEnglish，howshedid？

"Heresheis，sir，surlyasever，andpoorcompanyforChristianmen。Seeyouhowcunninglyallherlimbsaregyved，andchainedtotheironboltsofthebed？WhatwouldmyladyJeannegivemeforthislittlemaster-key？"

Hereheshowedaslenderkey，hungonasteelchainabouthisneck。

"Neverasaintofthethree，Michael，Margaret，andCatherine，cantakethisfromme；nay，northedevilswhoweartheirforms。”

"Haveyouseenthisfaircompanyofhers？"IwhisperedinEnglish，crossingmyself。

"Nomorethanshesawthewhiteladythatgoeswiththatotherwitch，CatherineofLaRochelle。But，sir，sheissullen；itishermanner。Withyourgoodleave，shallwesup？"

Thiswasmyowndesire，soputtingthepannieronthetable，I

carvedthemeatwithmydagger，andpouredoutthewineincups，andtheyfellto，beinghungry，asEnglishmenareatalltimes。Theyroaredovertheirmeat，eatinglikewolvesanddrinkinglikefishes，andonewouldsingalewdsong，andtheothersstrikeinwiththeover-word，butdrinkingwastheirmainavail。

"Thisisbetterstuff，"saysthelourdaud，"thanourEnglishale。

Faith，"tisstrong，mylads!Wakeup，Jenkin；wakeup，Hal，"andthenheroaredasnatch，butstopped，lookingdrowsilyabouthim。

ObrothersinChrist，whohearthistale，rememberyethat，fornowfourmonthsandmore，thecleanestsoulinChristenty，andthechastestlady，andofmannersthenoblest，hadenduredthiscompanybynightandbyday!

"Nay，wakeup，"Icried；"yearedullrevellers；whatsayyetothedice？"

TherewithIsetoutmytablierandthedice。ThenIfilledupthecupafresh，pretendingtodrink，andlaidonthefoultableagreatshiningheapofgold。TheirdulleyesshonelikethemetalwhenI

said-

"Myselfwillbejudgeandumpire；playye，honestfellows，forI

cravenogainsfromyou。Only，acupforluck!"

Theycampedatthetable，allthefiveofthem，andsomewhiletheirgreedkeptthemwakeful，andtheycalledthemains，buttheirdroughtkeptthemdrinking。And，onebyone，theirheadsfellheavyonthetable，ortheysprawledontheirstools，andsosankontothefloor，sopotentwerethepoppyandmandragoraoftheleechinTours。

Atlasttheywereallsoundonsleep，oneman"shandyetclutchingapileofmygoldthatnowandagainwouldslipforthandjingleonthestonefloor。

Nowallthistimeshehadneverstirred，butlayasshehadlain，herfacedownwards，herarmsaboveherneck。

StealthilyItookthechainandthekeyfromabouttheneckofthesleepinglourdaud，andthendrewnearherontiptoe。

Ilistened，and，fromherbreathing，Ibelievethatsheslept，asextremelabourandwearinessandsorrowdosometimesbringtheirownremede。

Thenathoughtcameintomymind，howIshouldbestawakeher，andstooping，Isaidinherear-

"FilleDe!"

Instantlysheturnedabout，and，sittingup，foldedherhandsasoneinprayer，deeming，belike，thatshewasarousedbythevoicesofherSaints。Ikneeleddownbesidethebed，andwhispered——"Madame，Jeanne，lookonmyface!"

Shegazedonme，andnowIsawherbraveface，wearyandthinandwhite，and，greaterthanofold，thegreatgreyeyes。

"Isaidonce，"camehersweetvoice，"thatthoualoneshouldststandbymewhenallhadforsakenme。FairSaints，doIdreambutadream？"

"Nay，Madame，"Isaid，"thouwakestanddostnotdream。Onehassentmewholovesthee，evenmyladyElliot；andnowlisten，forthetimeisshort。See，hereIhavethemaster-key，andwhenIhaveunlockedthybonds……"

"Thouhastnotslainthesemen？"sheasked。"Thatweredeadlysin。”

"Nay，theydobutsleep，andwillwakenbelikeerethefreshguardcomes，whereforewemustmakehaste。”

"WhenIhavefreedthee，doonthybody，abovethyraiment，thisdoubletofmine，foritcarriesthecrossofEngland，and，Ibeingoflittlestature，youmaywellpassforme。Moreover，thiscloakanditshood，whichIworewhenIcamein，willcoverthee。Then，whenthougoestforthgivetheword"Bedford"tothesentinels；and，totheporterinthegate，showthiswrittenpassofJohnGrey"s。

Heknowsitalready，havingseenitthisnight。Next，whenthouartwithoutthecastle，faretothehostelrycalled"TheRoseandApple，"whichisnearestthecastlegate，andsostraightintothestable，wherestandtwosteeds，saddledandbridled。Choosetheblack，heistheswifter。Ifthehostlerbeawake，heexpectsme，andwilltaketheeforme；mount，withnoword，andridetotheeasternport。ThereshowtothegatewardthissignetofSirThomasGrey，andhewillupwithportcullisanddownwithdrawbridge，forhehasoftendonenolessformeandthatsignet。

"Then，Madame，rideforLouviers，andyoushallbreakyourfastwiththeBastardandLaHire。”Herwhitefacechangedtored，likethemorninglight，asonthatdayatOrleans，beforeshetookLesTourelles。

Thentheflushfaded，andshegrewashenpale，whileshesaid-

"Butthou，howshaltthougetforth？"

"Madame，"Isaid，"fearnotforme。Iwillfollowafterthee，andshamethesleepyportertobelievethathehasdreamedadream。AndIhavewrittenthisotherpass，onseeingwhichhewillneedscreditme，beingadrowse，and，moreover，Iwillpayhimwell。AndIshallbeatthestableassoonalmostasthou，andIhavetoldthehostlerthatbelikeIshallridewithafriend，carryingamessagetotheBishopofAvranches。ForIhavebeguiledtheEnglishtobelievemeoftheirparty，asMadameJudithwroughttothetyrantHolofernes。”

"Nay，"sheansweredsimply，"thismaynotbe。Eveniftheporterweretobeboughtorbeguiled，thoucouldstnotpassthesentinels。

Itmaynotbe。”

"Thesentinels，belike，aresleeping，orwellnighsleeping，andI

haveadagger。OMadame!forthesakeofthefortuneofFrance，andthehonouroftheKing"——forthis，Iknew，wasmysuresthope——

"delaynot，norreckatallofme。Ihavebutonelife，anditisthinefreely。”

"Theywillburnthee，orslaytheewithothertorments。”

"Notso，"Isaid；"Ishallnotbetakenalive。”

"Thatweredeadlysin，"sheanswered。"Ishallnotgoandleavetheetodieforme。Thenweremyhonourlost，andIcouldnotenduretolive。Entreatmenot，forIwillnotgoforth，asnow。

Naymore，ItelltheeasIhavetoldmyjudges，thatwhichtheSaintshavespokentome。"Bearthisthymartyrdomgently，"theysay，"tut"enviendrasenroyaumeduParadis。"Moreover，thisI

know，thatIamtobedeliveredwithgreatvictory!"

Heresheclaspedherhands，lookingupwards，andherfacewasasthefaceofanangel。

"Fairvictoryitweretoleavetheeinmyplace，andsomakeliarsofmybrethrenofParadise。”

Then，alas!IknewthatIwasofnomoreavailtomoveher；yetonelastartItried。

"Madame，"Isaid，"IhaveprayedyouinthenameofthefortuneofFrance，andthehonouroftheKing，whichistarnishedforeverifyouescapenot。”

"Ishallbedelivered，"sheanswered。

"Iprayyouinthedearnameofyourladymother，MadameduLys。”

"Ishallbedelivered，"shesaid，"andwithgreatvictory!"

"NowIpraytheeinmyownname，andinthatofthyfirstfriend，mylady。ShehasmadeavowtogivehervirginitytoHeavenunlesseitherthouartsetfree，orshehavetidingsfromtheethatthouwillesthertowedme，withoutwhomIhavenodesiretolive，butfarratherthisverynighttoperish。ForIamcleanconfessed，withinthesesixhours，knowingthatIwasliketobeinsomejeopardy。”

"Then，"shesaid，smilingsweetly，andsigningthatIshouldtakeherhand——"Thenlive，NormanLeslie，forthisistomeaneasythingandajoyous。Thouartaclerk，hastthouwherewithaltowrite？"

"Yes，Madame，hereinmywallet。”

"ThenwriteasItellthee:-

"JHESUMARIA"

""I，JehannelaPucelle，sendfromprisonhereinRouenmytidingsoflovetoElliotHume，myfirstfriendamongwomen，andbidher，formysake，wedhimwholovesher，NormanLeslieofPitcullo，myfaithfulservant，prayingthatallhappinessmaygowiththem。Inwitnesswhereto，myhandbeingguidedtowrite，Isetmyname，JehannelaPucelle，thisninthdayofMay，intheyearFourteenhundredandthirty-one。"

"Soguidemyhand，"shesaid，takingthepenfrommyfingers；andthusguided，whilemytearsfellonherhand，shewroteJEHANNELA

PUCELLE。

"Now，"quothshe，smilingasofold，"wemustsealthismissive。

Cutoffonelockofmyhairwithyourdagger，formylastgifttomyfirstfriend，andmakethesealallorderly。”

Ididasshebade，and，bringingalightedstickfromthebrazier，I

meltedwax。Then，whenitwassmooth，shelaidonittwohairsfromthelittlesunderedlock(aswassometimeshercustom)，andbademesealwithmyownsignet，andputthebriefinmywallet。

"Now，allisdone，"shesaid。

"Nay，nay，"Isaid，"todiefortheeismoretomethantoliveinlove。Ah，nay，goforth，Ibeseechthee!"

"WithvictoryshallIgoforth，andnowIlaymylastcommandsonthelastofallmyservants。IfinaughtIhaveeveroffendedthee，inwordordeed，forgiveme!"

Icouldbutbowmyhead，forIwasweeping，thoughhereyesweredry。

"Andso，farewell，"shesaid-

"Asthouartlealandtrue，begone；itismyorder，andmakenotarrying。To-morrowIhavemuchtodo，andneedsmustIsleepwhilethesemenarequiet。SaytothyladythatIloveherdearly，andbidherhope，asIalsohope。Farewell!"

Shemovedherthinhand，whichIkissed，kneeling。

Againshesaid"Farewell，"andturnedherbackonmeasifshewouldsleep。

ThenIhungthechainandkeyagainontheneckofthelourdaud；I

putsomeofthefallencoinsinthemen"spouches，butbestowedthediceandtablierinmywallet。Iopenedthedoor，andwentforth，notlookingback；andsofromthecastle，showingmypass，andgivingtheporteranothercoin。ThenIwenthome，inthesweetdawnofMay，andcastingmyselfonmybed，Iweptbitterly，forto-daysheshouldbetormented。

OftherestIhavenomindtotell(thoughtheyhadnotthehearttotorturetheMaid)，foritputsmeoutofcharitywithapeoplewhohaveanametobeChristians，anditismydesire，ifImay，toforgiveallmenbeforeIdie。

AtRouenIenduredtoabide，evenuntilthedayofunjustdoom，andmyreasonwasthatIeverhopedforsomemiracle，evenasherSaintshadpromised。Butitwastheirwillthatsheshouldbemadeperfectthroughsuffering，andbeingsetfreethroughthegateoffire，shouldwinhervictoryoverunfaithandmortalfear。WhereforeI

stoodafaroffattheend，seeingnothingofwhatbefell；yetI

clearlyheard，asdidallmenthere，thelastwordofhersweetvoice，andthecryofJHESUS!

ThenIpassedthroughthestreetswheremenandwomen，andtheveryEnglish，wereweeping，and，saddlingmyswiftesthorse，Irodetotheeastport。Whenthegatehadclosedbehindme，Iturned，and，liftingmyhand，ItorethecrossofSt。Georgefrommydoublet。

"Dogs!"Icried，"yehaveburnedaSaint!AcurseoncruelEnglishandcowardFrench!StAndrewforScotland!"TheshaftsandboltshailedpastmeasIwheeledabout；therewasmountingofsteeds，andaclatterofhoofsbehindme，butthesounddiedawayereIrodeintoLouviers。

ThereItoldthemthetalewhichwastheirshame，andsobetookmetoTours，andtomylady。

CHAPTERXXXII——THEENDOFTHISCHRONICLE

Itservesnottospeakofmylaterfortunes，beingthoseofaprivateman，norhaveIthehearttorecalloldsorrows。WewereweddedwhenElliot"sgriefhadinsomesortabated，andforoneyearwewerehappierthanGodhaswilledthatsinfulmenshouldlongbeinthisworld。Thenthatbefellwhichhasbefallenmany。Imaynotwriteofit:sufficeitthatGodtookfrommebothherandherchild。Then，aftercertainweeksanddaysofwhichIamblessedenoughtokeeplittlememory，Iforsworearms，andservedinthehouseholdoftheLadyMargaretofScotland，whomarriedtheDauphinonanunhappyday。IhaveknownmuchofCourtsandofthelearned，Ihaveseenthewickedmanexalted，andBrotherThomasNoiroufleingreathonourwithCharlesVII。KingofFrance，andofferingbeforehim，withhismurderoushands，theblessedsacrificeoftheMass。

ThedeathoftheLadyMargaret，slainbylyingtongues，andthesuddensightofthatevilman，BrotherThomas，raisedtopowerandplace，drovemefromFrance，andIwascertainyearswiththeKing"sambassadorsattheCourtsofItaly。ThereIheardhowtheHolyInquisitionhadreversedthatfalsejudgmentoftheEnglishandfalseFrenchatRouen，whichmademesomejoy。Andthen，findingoldagecomeuponme，Iwithdrewtomyowncountry，whereIhavelivedinreligion，somewhileintheAbbeyofDunfermline，andthisyeargoneinourcellofPluscardine，whereInowwrite，andwhereI

hopetodieandbeburied。

Hereendsmytale，inmyLatinChronicleleftuntold，ofhowaScotsMonkwaswiththeMaidbothinhervictoriesandrecoveriesoftowns，andeventillherdeath。

Formyself，Inowgrowold，andtheearthlytimetocomeisshort，andthereremainetharestforallsoulsChristian。MiscreantsI

haveheardof，menmisbelievingandheretics，whodenythatthespiritabidesafterthedeathofthebody，forinthelongyears，saythey，thespiritwiththefleshwanes，andatlastdieswiththebodilydeath。WhereintheynotonlymakeHolyChurchaliar，butarevisiblyconfoundedbythistruthwhichIknowandfeel，namely，thatwhilemyfleshwasteshourlytowardsoldage，andofmanythingsmymemoryisweakened，yetofthatdayinChinonImindmeasclearly，andseemyloveaswell，andhearhersweetvoiceasplain，asifshehadbutnowlefttheroom。

Hereinmymemorydoesnotfail，nordoeslovefaint，growingstrongerwiththeyears，likethestreamasitracestothefall。

Wherefore，beingmorestrongthanTime，LoveshallbemorestrongthanDeath。Theriverofmylifespeedsyearlyswifter，theyearslikemonthsgoby，themonthslikeweeks，theweekslikedays。Evensofleeton，OTime，tillIrestbesideherfeet!Nay，never，beingyoung，didImoredesiremylove"spresencewhenwewereapartthanto-dayIdesireit，thememoryofherfillingallmyheartasfragranceofflowersfillsaroom，tillitseemsasifshewerenotfaraway，butnearme，asIwriteofher。And，foolishthatIam!I

lookupasifImightseeherbymyside。Iknownotifthisbesowithallmen，for，indeed，Ihaveaskednone，norspokentoanyofthemattersaveinconfession。ForIhavelovedthisonce，andnomore；whereforeIdeemmehappierthanmost，andmorecertainofagoodendtomylove，wheretheblesseddwellintheRoseofParadise，beholdingtheBeatificVision。

TothisendIimploretheprayersofallChristiansoulswhoreadthisbook，andofalltheSaints，andofthatSisteroftheSaintswhom，whileImight，Iservedinmydegree。

VENERABILISJOHANNA

ORAPRONOBIS

APPENDIXA——NORMAN"SMIRACLE

(See"LivredesMiraclesdeMadameSainteKatherinedeFierboys。

MSS。Bib。Nat。7335，fol。lxxxiv。)

Lexvijourdumoysdejanvier，l"anmilcccc。xxx。，vintenlachapelledeceansNormanLesliedePytquhoulle，escoth，escuyerdelacompagniedeHuguesCande，capitaine。{40}Lequeldistetaffermaparsermentestrevraylemiraclecyapresdeclaire。C"estassavoirqueleditLesliefutprinsdesAngloiseParislejourdelaNativitedeNostreDamedel"andernierpasse。LequelNormanLeslieavoitentredanslavilledeParisavecc。Escossoysenguised"Angloys，lesqueulsEscossoysfurentprinsdesAngloys，etleditNormanfutmisenfersetenceps。Etestoitl"intentiondeceuxquil"avoientprisdelefairelendemainardre，parcequ"ilportoitrobedefemmeparmanierederusedeguerre。

Sis"avintqueleditNormansevouaeMadameSainteKatherine，qu"illuypleustprierDieuqu"illevoulsistdelivrerdelaprisonouilestoit；etincontinentqu"ilpourroitestredehors，ilyroitmercierMadameSainteKatherineensachapelledeFierboys。Etincontinentsonveufaitsis"endormit，etaureveillertrouvaenlatouravecquesluyunSinge，quiluiapportadeuxfiles，etunpetitcousteau。Ainsiiltrouvamanieredesedeferrer，etadoncquess"ensortitdelaprisonemportantavecquesluylesinge。SiselaissoitcheoiravalenpriantMadameSainteKatherineetchutabas，etoncquesnesefistmal，etserenditeSaintDenysouiltrouvoitdescompagnonsEscossoys。

EtainsyleditNormanLeslies"enestvenuauditlieudeFierboys，toutsainetsauf，emportantavecquesluyleditsinge，quiestbesteestrangeetfoldesoncorps。EtajureleditNormanceestrevrayparlafoyetsermentdesoncorps。

PresensmessireRichartKyrthrizian，frereGilesLacourt，prestresgouverneursdeladitechapelle，etmessireHauvesPolnoire，peintreduRoy，etplusieursaultres。

APPENDIXB——ELLIOT"SRING

TheRingoftheMaid，inscribedwiththeHolyNames，isoftenreferredtoinherTrial("Proces，"i。86，103，185，236，238)，andismentionedbyBower，thecontemporaryScottishchronicler("Proces，"iv。480)，whoseworkwascontinuedinthe"LiberPluscardensis。”Wehavealso，inthetext，Norman"sstatementthatacopyofthisringwaspresentedbytheMaidtoElliotHume。

Whilecorrectingtheproof-sheetsofthisChronicle，theTranslatorreceivedfromMr。GeorgeBlack，AssistantKeeperoftheNationalMuseumofAntiquitiesinEdinburgh，acopyofhisessayon"ScottishCharmsandAmulets"("ProceedingsoftheSocietyofAntiquariesofScotland，"May8，1893，p。488)。There，tohisastonishment，theTranslatorread:"TheformulaMARI。IHS。occursontwofinger-ringsofsilver-gilt，oneofwhichwasfoundatPluscarden，Elginshire，andtheotherinanoldgraveyardnearFintrayHouse，Aberdeenshire。”HaveweinthePluscardenringarelicoftheMonkofPluscarden，thecompanionofJeanned"Arc，theauthorof"LiberPluscardensis"？