Tell me, I pray, in what she has offended." But Elliot, not looking at her, said to me again, and this time tears leaped up in her eyes--"Forth with you! begone, ere I call that archer to drag you before the judges of the good town." I was now desperate, for, clad as I was, the archer had me at an avail, and, if I were taken before the men of the law, all would be known, and my shrift would be short.
"Gracious Pucelle," I said, in French, turning to the Maiden, "my life, and the fortune of one who would gladly fight to the death by your side, are in your hands.

For the love of the blessed saints, your sisters, and of Him who sends you on your holy mission, pray this demoiselle to let me enter the house with you, and tell my tale to you and her.

If I satisfy you not of my honour and good intent, I am ready, in this hour, to go before the men of law, and deliver myself up to their justice.

For though my life is in jeopardy, I dread death less than the anger of this honourable demoiselle.

And verily this is a matter of instant life or death." So saying, I clasped my hands in the manner of one in prayer, setting all my soul into my speech, as a man desperate.
The Maiden had listened very gravely, and sweetly she smiled when my prayer was ended.
"Verily," she said to me, "here is deeper water than I can fathom.
Elliot, ma mie, you hear how gently, and in what distress, this fair lass beseeches us." "Fair lass!" cried Elliot: and then broke off between a sob and a laugh, her hand catching at her side.
"If you love me," said the Maid, looking on her astonished, and not without anger--"if you love me, as you have said, you that are the first of my comforters, and, till this day, my only friend in your strange town, let the lass come in and tell us her tale.