"And to you and the saints I owe it that I yet live to carry a sore heart and be tormented with your ill tongue." "And had you heard that a fair young knight, and renowned in arms, lay sick at your lady's house, she nursing him, would you not have cast about for ways of coming to her ?" To this I answered nothing, but, with a very sour countenance, was rising to go, when my name was called in the street.
Looking down, I saw my master, who doffed his cap to the daughter of the house, and begging leave to come up, fastened his horse's bridle to the ring in the wall, by the door.
Up he came, whom Charlotte welcomed very demurely, and so left us, saying that she must go about her household business; but as she departed she cast a look back at me, making a "moue," as the French say, with her red lips.
"Well, my son," cried my master, taking my hand, "why so pale?
Sure thou hast had a sore bout, but thou art mending." I could but stammer my lady's name-- "Elliot--shall I see her soon ?" He scratched his rough head and pulled his russet beard, and so laughed shamefacedly.
"Why, lad, to that very end she came, and now--St.Anthony's fire take me if I well know why--she will none of it.

The Maid brought us in her company, for, as you know, she will ever have young lasses with her when she may, and as far as Orleans the roads are safe.

And who so glad as Elliot when the Maid put this command on her, after we got thy letter?
I myself was most eager to ride, not only for your sake, but to see how Orleans stood after the long pounding.

But when we had come to our lodging, and I was now starting off to greet you, Elliot made no motion of rising.

Nay, when I bade her make haste, she said that haste there was none; and when I, marvelling, asked, 'Wherefore ?' answered that she was loth to spoil good company, and had seen you, as I did myself, happy enough with the lass who nursed you, and who had written to her." "And wherefore, in Heaven's name, should we not be happy on such a day as this was an hour agone?
But now the sun is out of the sky." "I see him plainer than ever I did in the Merse," said my master, looking up where the sun was bright in the west.