What a life it is that I lead! Late to bed and up by prime, so busy is my mistress; and she lives as it were without sleep, and feeds on air." Here he threw himself down in a great chair, and verily, by the time I had washed and attired myself, I had to shake him by the shoulder to arouse him.

Thus I was carried to the Maid's lodging, my heart beating like a hammer with hopes and fears.
We found her already armed, for that day she was to ride to Jargeau, and none was with her but her confessor.

She gave me the best of greetings, and bade me eat bread and drink wine.

"And soon," she said, "if you recover the quicker, I trust to give you wine to drink in Paris." She herself dipped a crust in wine and water, and presently, bidding her confessor, Pasquerel, wait for her in the little oratory, she asked me how I did, and told me what fear she had been in for me, as touching Brother Thomas, when she learned who he was, yet herself could not return from the field to help me.
"But now," said she, smiling with a ravishing sweetness, "I hear you are in far greater peril from a foe much harder and more cruel--ma mie Elliot.

Ah! how you lovers put yourselves in jeopardy, and take me from my trade of war to play the peacemaker! Surely I have chosen the safer path in open breach and battle, though would that my war was ended, and I sitting spinning again beside my dear mother." Hereon her face grew more tender and sad than ever I had seen it, and there came over me forgetfulness of my private grief, as of a little thing, and longing to ride at the Maiden's rein, where glory was to be won.
"Would that even now I could march with you," I said; and she, smiling, made answer-- "That shall yet be; yea, verily," and here the fashion of her countenance altered wondrously, "I know, and know not how I know, that thou shalt be with me when all have forsaken me and fled." Then she fell silent, and I also, marvelling on her face and on the words which she spoke.