But, if my master's service irked me, in that other I found comfort, when I could devise with Elliot, as concerning our country and her hopes for the Maid.

But my own hopes were not high, nor could I mark any sign that she favoured me more than another, though I had the joy to be often in her company.

And, indeed, what hope could I have, being so young, and poor, and in visible station no more than any 'prentice lad?
My heart was much tormented in these fears, and mainly because we heard no tidings that the Maid was accepted by the Dauphin, and that the day of her marching, and of my deliverance from my base craft of painting, was at hand.
It so fell out, how I knew not, whether I had shown me too presumptuous for an apprentice, or because of any other reason, that Elliot had much forborne my company, and was more often in church at her prayers than in the house, or, when in the house, was busy in divers ways, and I scarce ever could get word of her.

Finding her in this mood, I also withdrew within myself, and was both proud and sorely unhappy, longing more than ever to take my own part in the world as a man-at-arms.

Now, one day right early, I being alone in the chamber, copying a psalter, Elliot came in, looking for her father.