"And you will not be the worse for my company.

Paris is a queer place when there is trouble to the fore, but your lordships have got the right man to pilot you through it." I did not ask him what trouble he meant, but ran indoors to buckle on my sword, and tell Marie and Croisette of the ally I had secured.

They were much pleased, as was natural; so that we took the road in excellent spirits intending to reach the city in the afternoon.

But Marie's horse cast a shoe, and it was some time before we could find a smith.

Then at Etampes, where we stopped to lunch, we were kept an unconscionable time waiting for it.