"But, O my dear! you may be taken, and when shall I see you again?
Oh! this life is the hardest thing for women, who must sit and tremble and pray at home.

Sure no danger of war is so terrible! Ah, must you really go ?" Then she clung so closely about me, that it seemed as if I could never escape out of her arms, and I felt as if my heart must break in twain.
"How could I look men in the face, and how could I ever see the Maid again, if I go not ?" I said; and, loosening her grasp, she laid her hands on my shoulders, and so gazed on me steadfastly, as if my picture could be fixed on the tablets of her brain.
"On your chin is coming a little down, at last," she said, smiling faintly, and then gave a sob, and her lips met mine, and our very souls met; but, even then, we heard my master's steps hobbling to the door, and she gave a cry, and fled to her chamber.

And this was our leave-taking--brief, but I would not have had it long.
"It is ill work parting, Heaven help us," said my master.

"Faith, I remember, as if it were to-day, how I set forth for Verneuil; a long time I was gone, and came back a maimed man.

But it is fortune of war! The saints have you in their keeping, my son, and chiefly St.Andrew.