And he has given her rooms in the Tour Coudraye within the castle; and the clergy and the doctors are to examine her straitly, whether she be from a good airt, {15} or an ill, and all because she knew the King, she who had never seen him before.

Why should she never have seen him--who warrants me of it ?--she dwelling these last days nigh the castle! Freits are folly, to my thinking, and fools they that follow them.

Lad, you gave me a gliff; pass me another stoup of wine! Freits, forsooth!" I served him, and he sat and chuckled in his chair, being pleasured by the thought of his own wisdom.

"Not a word of this to Elliot, though," he said suddenly; "when there is a woman in a house--blessings on her!--it is anything for a quiet life! But, 'nom Dieu!' what with the fright you gave me, sitting there, whereas I deemed you were meat for eels and carp, and what with thy tale--ha, ha!--and my tale, and the wine, maybe, I forgot your own peril, my lad.

Faith, your neck is like to be longer, if we be not better advised." Hearing him talk of that marvellous thing, wrought through inspiration by the Maid--whereat, as his manner was, he mocked, I had clean forgotten my own jeopardy.