thoughtIsaw,andofthewordsspokenbytheblindmanandthesoldier,concerningsomevisionwhichaffrayedthem,Iknownotwhat。
AtthistalethegirlElliot,crossingherselfverydevoutly,criedaloud-
"Ofather,didInottellyouso?ThisholythingcanhavebeennootherbutthatblessedMaiden,guardedbythedearsaintsinformvisible,whomthisgentleman,forthesinofkeepingevilcompany,wasnotgiventhegracetosee。Oh,come,letusmountandridetoChinon,foralreadysheiswithinthewalls;hadwenotriddenforthsoearly,wemusthaveheardtellofit。”
ItseemedsomethinghardtomethatIwastohavenogracetobeholdwhatothers,andtheyassuredlymuchmoresinfulmenthanmyself,hadbeenpermittedtolookupon,ifthisdamselwasrightinthatshesaid。Andhowcouldanyman,werehehimselfasaint,seewhatwaspassingby,whenhisheadwasturnedtheotherway?Howbeit,shecalledmeagentleman,asindeedIhadprofessedmyselftobe,andthisIsaw,thatherpassionofangeragainstmewasspent,asthen,andgoneby,likeashowerofApril。
"Gentlemanyoucallyourself,sir,"saidherfather;"mayIaskofwhathouse?"
"WearecadetsofthehouseofRothes,"Ianswered。"Myfather,LeslieofPitcullo,isthefourthsonofthethirdsonofthelastlairdofRothesbutone;and,forme,IwasoflateaclerkstudyinginSt。Andrews。”
"Iwillnotaskwhyyouleftyourlore,"hesaid;"Ihavebeenyoungmyself,and,faith,thestoryofoneladvariesnotmuchfromthestoryofanother。Ifwehaveanyspirit,itdrivesusouttofighttheforeignloonsintheirowncountry,ifwehavenofeudathome。
Butyouareaclerk,Ihearyousay,andhaveskillenoughtoreadandwrite?"
"Yea,and,ifneedwere,canpaint,inmydegree,anddofairletteringonholybooks,forthisartwasmypleasure,andIlearneditfromaworthymonkintheabbey。”
"Odayofmiracles!"hecried。"Listen,Elliot,andmarkhowfinelyIhavefalleninluck'sway!Loyou,sir,Ialsoamagentlemaninmydegree,simpleasyouseeme,beingoneoftheHumesofPolwarth;
butbyreasonofmymaimedleg,thatcametomewithscarsmany,fromcertainshrewdblowsgotatVerneuilfight,Iamdisabledfromwar。AmurrainontheEnglishbillthatdealtthestroke!TomakeupmyransomforIwastakenprisonerthere,wheresofewgotquartercostmeeverycrownIcouldgather,soIevenfellbackontheskillIlearned,likeyou,whenIwasalad,fromapriestintheAbbeyofMelrose。AshamedofmycraftIamnone,foritisbettertopaintbannersandmissalsthantobeg;andnow,forthesefiveyears,IamadvancedtobeCourtpaintertotheKinghimself,thankstoJohnKirkmichael,BishopofOrleans,whoisofmyfar-awaykin。Asorefallitis,foraHumeofPolwarth;andstrangelyenoughdotheFrenchscribeswritemyname——"HauvesPoulvoir,"andotherwise,sopleaseyou;butthatisevertheirwontwiththebestnamesinallbroadScotland。Loyou,evennowthereismuchadowithbanner-paintingforthecompaniesthatmarchtohelpOrleans,everandagain。”
"WhentheMaidenmarches,father,youshallhavebanner-painting,"
saidthegirl。
"Ay,lass,whentheMaidmarches,andwhentheliftfallsandsmoorsthelaverocksweshallcatchtheminplenty。{8}But,MaidornoMaid,savingyourpresence,sir,IneedwhatwecraftsmenIprayyouagaintopardonmecallanapprentice,andIofferyou,ifyouareskilledasyousay,thishonourablepost,tillyoufindabetter。”
Myfacegrewredagainwithangerattheword"apprentice,"andI
knownothowIshouldhaveansweredanoffersounworthyofmyblood,whenthegirlbrokein-
"TillthisgentlemanmarcheswiththeflowerofFranceagainstouroldenemyofEngland,youshouldsay,father,andhelpstoshowthemanotherBannockburnonLoire-side。”
"Ay,well,tillthen,ifitlikesyou,"hesaid,smiling。"Tillthenthereisbed,andmeat,andthepennyfeeforhim,tillthatgreatday。”
"Thatiscomingsoon!"shecried,hereyesraisedtoheaven,andsofairshelooked,that,beingayoungmanandofmycomplexionamorous,IcouldnotbeartobeoutofhercompanywhenImightbeinit,sostoopedmypridetoagreewithhim。
"Sir,"Isaid,"Ithankyouheartilyforyouroffer。Youcomeofasgoodahouseasmine,andyoursisthebragoftheBorder,asmineisofthekingdomofFife。Ifyoucanputyourprideinyourpouch,faith,socanI;theratherthatthereisnothingelsetherein,andsoroomenoughandtospare。But,astouchingwhatthisgentledemoisellehassaid,Imaymarchalso,mayInot,whentheMaidridestoOrleans?"
"Ay,verify,withmygoodwill,thenyoumay,"hecried,laughing,whilethelassfrowned。
Thenweclappedhandsonit,forabargain,andhedidnotinsultmebytheofferofanyarles,orluckpenny。
Thegirlwashelpedtohorse,settingherfootonmyhand,thatdirledasherlittleshoesoletouchedit;andthejackanapesrodeonhersaddle-bowveryproudly。Forme,IranaswellasImight,butstifflyenough,beingcoldtothemarrow,holdingbythefather'sstirrup-leatherandwatchingthelass'syellowhairthatdancedonhershouldersassherodeforemost。Inthiscompany,then,somuchbetterthanthatIhadleft,weenteredChinontown,andcametotheirbooth,andtheirhouseonthewater-side。Then,oftheirkindness,Imusttobed,whichcomfortIsorelyneeded,andthereIslept,infragrantlinensheets,tillcomplinerang。
CHAPTERV——OFTHEFRAYONTHEDRAWBRIDGEATCHINONCASTLE
Duringsupper,towhichtheycalledme,mymastershowedmethebestcountenancethatmightbe,anditwasgreatjoytometoeatoffcleanplattersonceagain,onwhitelinenstrewnwithspringflowers。AsthetimewasLent,wehadfarethattheycalledmeagre:
fishfromtheViennewater,belowthetown,andeggscookedindiversfashions,alltothepointofexcellence,forthewineandfareofChinonarefamousinFrance。Asmydutywas,IwaitedonmymasterandonthemaidElliot,whowasneversilent,butbabbledofallthatshehadheardsinceshecameintothetown;astowherethePucellehadlightedoffherhorseontheedge-stoneofawell,soitseemed,andwhereandwithwhatgoodwifeshelodged,andhowasyetnomessagehadcometoherfromthecastleandtheKing;andgreatjoyitwastowatchandtohearher。Butherfathermocked,thoughinalovingmanner;andoncesheweptathisbourdes,andshoneoutagain,whenhefellonhisknees,offeringheraknifeandbaringhisbreasttothestroke,forIhaveneverseenmorelovebetweenfatherandchild,myownexperiencebeingcontrary。Yettomysistersmyfatherwaseverdebonnair;for,asIhaveoftenmarked,themotherslovethesonsbestandthesonsthemothers,andbetweenfatheranddaughtersitisthesame。ButofmymotherI
havespokeninthebeginningofthishistory。
Whensupperwasended,andallthingsmadeorderly,Ihadnogreatmindformybed,havingsleptmyfillforthattime。ButthemaidElliotleftusearly,whichwasasifthelighthadbeentakenoutoftheroom。
Besidethefire,mymasterfelltodevisingaboutthestateofthecountry,asburgesseslovetodo。AndIsaidthat,ifIweretheDauphin,ChinonCastleshouldnotholdmelong,formy"spurwouldbeinmyhorse'sside,andthebridleonhismane,"{9}astheoldsongoftheBattleofHarlawruns,andIonthewaytoOrleans。
Theretoheanswered,thathewellwisheditwereso,and,mocking,wishedthatIweretheDauphin。
"NotthatourDauphinisacoward,thebloodofSaintLouishasnotfallensolow,butheiswhollyundertheSieurdeLaTremouille,whowasthrustonhimwhilehewasyoung,andstillishismaster,or,aswesay,hisgovernor。Now,thislordisonethatwouldfainrunwiththehareandhuntwiththehounds,andthissideofhimisBurgundianandthatisArmagnac,andonwhichofthesideshisheartis,noneknows。AtAzincour,asIhaveheard,heplayedthemanreasonablywell。Buthewaxesveryfatforaman-at-arms,andisfondofwomen,andwine,andofhisease。Now,ifoncetheKingrangesupwiththeBastardofOrleans,andXaintrailles,andtheothercaptains,whohateLaTremouille,thenhispower,andthepoweroftheChancellor,theArchbishopofRheims,isgoneandended。SothesetwoworkevertopatchupapeacewithBurgundy,but,seeingthatthedukehashisfather'sdeathtoavengeonourKing,theymaypatchandbetterpatch,butnopeacewillcomeofit。
Andthecaptainscry"Forward!"andthearchbishopandLaTremouillecry"Back!"andinthemeantimeOrleanswillfall,andtheDauphinmayflywhitherhewill,forFranceislost。But,formyself,I
wouldtothesaintsthatIandmylasswerehomeagain,beneaththeoldthorn-treeatPolwarthonthegreen,whereIhavebeenmerrylangsyne。”
Withthatwordhefellsilent,thinking,Idoubtnot,ofhishome,asIdidofmine,andofthehouseofPitculloandtheash-treeatthedoor,andtheseabeyondtheploughedlandoftheplain。So,aftersomespaceofsilence,hewenttohisbed,andItomine,whereforlongIlaywakeful,paintingonthedarkthefaceofElliot,andherblueeyes,andrememberinghermerry,changefulways。
BetimesinthemorningIwasawakenedbythesoundofhermovingaboutthroughthehouse,andhavingdressedandgoneforthfrommylittlechamber,Ifoundherinthehouse-place,shehavingcomefromearlyMass。Shetooklittleheedofme,givingmesomebreadandwine,thesameassheandherfathertook;andshewasaltogetherlessgayandwilfulthanshehadbeen,andthereseemedtobesomethingthatlayheavyonhermind。WhenherfatheraskedherifthegossipsatthechurchdoorhadgivenheranymoretidingsoftheMaid,shedidbutfrown,andsoonleftthechamber,whencemymasterledmeforthintohisbooth,andbademeshowhimmyhandinwriting。Thispleasedhimnotill,andnextImustgrindcolourstohisliking;andagainhewentabouthisbusiness,whileImustmindthebooth,andbecapinhandtoeverysaucypagethatcamefromthecastlewithanorderfromhislord。
Fullmanyatimemyhandwasonmywhinger,andyetmoreoftenI
wishedmyselfonthefreeroadagain,sothatIwereoutofillcompany,andassuredlytheLorrainerMaid,whatevershemightbe,wasscarcelylongingmorethanIforthedaywhensheshouldunfurlherbannerandmarch,withmeatherback,toOrleans。Forsoirksomewasmyservitude,andthelayingofcoloursonthegroundofbannersformymastertopaint,andthecopyingofbooksofHoursandMissals,andtheinsolenceofcustomersworsebornthanmyself,thatIcouldhavedrownedmyselfintheViennewaterbutforthesightofElliot。Yetshewasbecomestaidenough,andbetimessad;
asitseemedthattherewasnogoodnewsofherdearMaid,fortheKingwouldnotseeher,andallmenitappeared,savethosewhohadriddenwithher,mockedthePucelleforaboldramp,withabeeinherbonnet。Butthetwogentlementhathadbeenherescortwerestaunch。TheirnameswereJeandeMetzandBertranddePoulengy,goodesquires。
OfmeElliotmadeofttimesnotmuchmoreaccountthanofherjackanapes,whichwasnowinveryhighfavour,andwaxingfat,sothat,whennonebutherfathercouldhearher,shewouldjestandcallhimLaTremouille。
YetI,asyoungmenwill,wasforwardinallwaystoserveher,andtowinhergraceandfavour。ShewasfaintohearofScotland,herowncountry,whichshehadneverseen,andIwasasfaintotellher。AndbetimesIwouldsayhowfairwerethemaidensofourowncountry,andhowanymanthatsawherwouldknowhertobeaScot,thoughfromhertongue,inFrench,nonemightguessit。And,knowingthatshelovedwildflowers,Iwouldsearchforthemandbringthemtoher,andwouldleadhertospeakofromanceswhichsheloved,nolessthanI,andofpageswhohadlovedqueens,andallsuchmattersasyoungmenandmaidsarewonttodeviseof;andnowshewouldlisten,andatotherseasonswouldseemproud,andasifhermindwereotherwhere。Youngknightsmanycametoourbooth,andlookedill-pleasedwhenIservedthem,andtheireyeswereeverontheinnerdoor,watchingforElliot,whomtheyseldomhadsightof。
SoherewasI,inadoubleservice,who,beforeImetBrotherThomas,hadbeenfreeofheartandhand。But,ifmymaster'sserviceirkedme,inthatotherIfoundcomfort,whenIcoulddevisewithElliot,asconcerningourcountryandherhopesfortheMaid。
Butmyownhopeswerenothigh,norcouldImarkanysignthatshefavouredmemorethananother,thoughIhadthejoytobeofteninhercompany。And,indeed,whathopecouldIhave,beingsoyoung,andpoor,andinvisiblestationnomorethanany'prenticelad?Myheartwasmuchtormentedinthesefears,andmainlybecauseweheardnotidingsthattheMaidwasacceptedbytheDauphin,andthatthedayofhermarching,andofmydeliverancefrommybasecraftofpainting,wasathand。
Itsofellout,howIknewnot,whetherIhadshownmetoopresumptuousforanapprentice,orbecauseofanyotherreason,thatElliothadmuchforbornemycompany,andwasmoreofteninchurchatherprayersthaninthehouse,or,wheninthehouse,wasbusyindiversways,andIscarceevercouldgetwordofher。Findingherinthismood,Ialsowithdrewwithinmyself,andwasbothproudandsorelyunhappy,longingmorethanevertotakemyownpartintheworldasaman-at-arms。Now,onedayrightearly,Ibeingaloneinthechamber,copyingapsalter,Elliotcamein,lookingforherfather。Iroseathercoming,doffingmycap,andtoldher,infewwords,thatmymasterhadgoneforth。Thereonsheflittedaboutthechamber,lookingatthisandthat,whileIstoodsilent,deemingthatsheusedmeinasortscarcebecomingmybloodandlineage。
Suddenlyshesaid,withoutturninground,forshewasstandingbyatablegazingatthepicturesinaBookofHours-
"Ihaveseenher!"
"ThePucelle?——doyouspeakofher,gentlemaid?"
"Isawherandspoketoher,andheardhervoice";andhereherownbroke,andIguessedthatshewasneartoweeping。"Iwentupwithinthecastleprecinct,tothetowerCoudraye,"shesaid,"forI
knewthatshelodgedhardby,withagoodwomanwhodwellsthere。I
passedintothechapelofSt。Martinonthecliff,andthereheardthevoiceofoneprayingbeforetheimageofOurLady。Thevoicewasevenasyousaidthatday——thesweetestofvoices。Ikneltbesideher,andprayedaloudforherandforFrance。Sherestedherhandonmyhair——herhairisblack,andcut"enronde"likeaman's。
Itistruethattheysay,shedressesinman'sgarb。Wecameforthtogether,andIputmyhandintohers,andsaid,"Ibelieveinyou;
ifnoneotherbelieves,yetdoIbelieve。”Thenshewept,andshekissedme;sheistovisitmehereto-morrow,lafilledeDieu——"
Shedrewalongsob,andstruckherhandhardonthetable;then,keepingherbackevertowardsme,shefledswiftlyfromtheroom。I
wasamazed——solightofheartasshecommonlyseemed,andoflatedisdainful——tofindherinthispassion。Yetitwastomethatshehadspoken——tomethatshehadopenedherheart。NowIguessedthat,ifIwasevertowinher,itmustbethroughthisPucelle,onwhomhermindwassostrangelybent。SoIprayedthat,ifitmightbeGod'swill,HewouldprospertheMaid,andletmebeherloyalservitor,andatlastbringmetomydesire。
SomethingalsoIdreamed,asyoungmenwillwhohavereadmanyromances,ofmyselfmadeaknightforgreatfeatsofarms,andwearinginmysalademylady'sfavour,andbreakingaspearonTalbot,orFastolf,orGlasdale,insomelastgreatvictoryforFrance。
Thenshoneonmyeyesight,asitwere,thepictureofthesetwochildren,fortheywerelittlemore,ElliotandtheMaid,kneelingtogetherinthechapelofSt。Martin,thegoldhairandtheblackblended;andwhatweretheytwoaloneagainstthisworldandtheprinceofthisworld?Alas,howmuch,andagainhowlittle,dothprayeravailus!Thesethoughtswereinmymindallday,whileservingandansweringcustomers,andcarryingmymaster'swaresaboutthetown,anduptothecastleonthecliff,wherethesoldiersandsentriesnowknewmewellenough,andtheScotsarcherstreatedmekindly。ButasforElliot,shewaslikeherfirstselfagain,andmerrierthancommonwithherfather,towhom,asfarasmyknowledgewent,shesaidnotawordaboutthemeetinginthecryptofSt。Martin'schapel,thoughtomeshehadspokensofreely。
Thisgavemesomehope;butwhenIwouldhavetriedtoaskheraquestion,sheonlygazedatmeinamannerthatabashedme,andturnedofftotoywithherjackanapes。WherebyIwenttomybedperplexed,andwithaheavyheart,asonethatwasnotyetconversantwiththewaysofwomen——nay,norever,inmysecularlife,haveIunderstoodwhattheywouldbeat。HappierhaditbeenformytemporallifeifIhadbeenwiserinwoman'sways。Butcommonly,whenwehavelearnedalesson,thelorecomestoolate。
Nextdaymymasterhadbusinessatthecastlewithacertainlord,andtookmethithertohelpincarryinghiswares。ThiscastlewasaplacethatIlovedwell,itissoold,havingfirstbeenbuildedwhentheRomanswerelordsoftheland;andissogreatandstrongthatourbishop'scastleofSt。Andrewsseemsbutacottagecomparedtoit。Fromthehill-topthereisawideprospectoverthetowerandthevalleyoftheVienne,whichIlikedtogazeupon。Mymaster,then,wentinbythedrawbridge,highabovethemoat,whichissodeepthat,Itrow,nofoemancouldfillitupandcrossittoassailthewalls。Mymaster,inlimpingupthehill,hadweariedhimself,butsoonpassedintothecastlethroughthegatewayofthebell-tower,astheycallit,whileIwaitedforhimonthefurtherendofthebridge,idlydroppingmorselsofbreadtotheswansthatswaminthemoatbelow。
Onthedrawbridge,standingsentinel,wasaFrenchman-at-arms,ayoungmanofmyownage,armedwithalongfauchard,whichwecallabillorhalberd,aweaponnotunliketheLochaberaxesoftheHighlandmen。Othersoldiers,French,Scottish,Spaniards,Germans,amixedcompany,wereidlinganddicingjustwithinthegate。
Iwasthrowingmylastpieceofcrusttoaswan,mymindemptyofthought,whenIstartedoutofmydream,hearingthatrarewoman'svoicewhichonceIhadheardbefore。Thenturningquickly,Isaw,walkingbetweentwogentlemen,eventhosewhohadriddenwithherfromVaucouleurs,onewhomnomancoulddeemtobeotherthanthatmuch-talked-ofMaidofLorraine。Shewascladverysimply,likethevarletofsomelordofnogreatestate,inablackcapwithalittlesilverbrooch,agreydoublet,andblackandgreyhose,trussedupwithmanypoints;aswordofsmallpricehungbyherside。{10}Instatureshewassomethingabovethecommonheightofwomen,herfacebrownwithsunandwind,hereyesgreat,grey,andbeautiful,beneathblackbrows,herlipsredandsmiling。Infiguresheseemedstrongandshapely,butsoslim——shebeingbutseventeenyearsofage——that,wereitnotforhersweetgirl'svoice,andforthebeautyofhergreyeyes,shemightwellhavepassedforapage,herblackhairbeingcut"enronde,"aswasandisthefashionamongmen-at-arms。ThusmuchhaveIwrittenconcerningherbodilyaspect,becausemanyhaveaskedmewhatmannerofwomanwastheblessedMaid,andwhethershewasbeautiful。Igazedatherlikeonemoon-
struck,then,rememberingmycourtesy,Idoffedmycap,andloutedlow;andshebowed,smilinggraciouslylikeagreatlady,butwithsuchanairasifhermindwasfaraway。
Shepassed,withhertwogentlemen,buttheFrenchsentinelbarredtheway,holdinghisfauchardthwartwise。
"Onwhatbusinesscomeyou,andbywhatright?"hecried,inarudevoice。
"BytheDauphin'sgraciouscommand,toseetheDauphin,"saidoneofthegentlemenrightcourteously。"Hereishisownletter,andyoumayknowtheseal,biddingLaPucelletocomebeforehimatthishour。”
Thefellowlookedattheseal,andcouldnotbutacknowledgethearmsofFrancethereon。Hedroppedhisfauchardoverhisshoulder,andstoodaside,staringimpudentlyattheMaiden,andmutteringfoulwords。
"SothisistherenownedPucelle,"hecried;"byGod'sname"……
andherehespokewordssuchasImaynotsetdowninwriting,blasphemingGodandtheMaid。
Sheturnedandlookedathim,butasifshesawhimnot;andthen,alightofjoyandlovetransfiguringherface,shekneltdownonthedrawbridge,foldingherhands,herfacebowed,andsoabodewhileonemightcounttwenty,wethatbeheldherbeingamazed。Thensheroseandbentasifinsalutationtoonewesawnot;next,addressingherselftothesentinel,shesaid,verygently-
"Sir,howcanstthoutakeinvainthenameofGod,thouthatartinthisveryhourtodie?"
Sospeaking,shewithhergentlemenwentwithinthegate,whilethesoldierstoodgazingafterherlikeamanturnedtostone。
TheMaidpassedfromoursight,andthenthesentinel,comingtohimself,turnedingreatwrathonme,whostoodhardby。
"Whatmakeyougapinghere,youlousywine-sackofScotland?"hecried;andattheword,myprayerwhichIhadmadetoSt。Andrewinmybondscameintomymind,namely,thatIshouldnotenduretohearmycountrydefamed。
Istoppednottothinkofwords,whereinIneverhadareadywit,buthiswerestillinhismouthwhenIhadleapedwithinhisguard,sothathemightnotswingouthislonghalberd。
"Blasphemerandliar!"Icried,grippinghisneckwithmylefthand,whilewithtwoup-cutsofmyrightIsenthisliesdownhisthroatincompany,asIdeem,withcertainofhisteeth。
Hedroppedhishalberdagainstthewoodenfenceofthebridge,andfeltforhisdagger。Icaughtathisrighthandwithmine;crieswereinmyears——St。DenisforFrance!St。AndrewforScotland!——astheothermenonguardcamerunningforthtoseethesport。
Wegrippedandswayedforamoment,thenthestaffofhisfauchardcomingbetweenhislegs,hetrippedandfell,Iabovehim;ourweightsousedagainstthelowpalesofthebridgeside,thatwerecrazyandold;therewasacrash,andIfeltmyselfinmid-air,failingtothemoatfarbelowus。DownanddownIwhirled,andthenthedeepwaterclosedoverme。
CHAPTERVI——HOWNORMANLESLIEESCAPEDOUTOFCHINONCASTLE
DownanddownIsank,thewatersurgingupintomynostrilsandsoundinginmyears;but,beinginwater,Iwassafeifitwerebutdeepenough。PresentlyIstruckout,and,withastrokeortwo,cametothesurface。Butnosoonerdidmyheadshowabove,andI
drawadeepbreathortwain,lookingformyenemy,thananarbalestboltcleftthewaterwithaclippingsound,missingmebutnarrowly。
Ihadbuttimetoseethattherewasatumultonthebridge,andswordsouttheScots,asIafterwardsheard,knockingupthearbaleststhattheFrenchsoldierslevelledatme。ThenIdivedagain,andswamunderwater,makingtowardstherightandthecastlerock,whichransheerdowntothemoat。ThiscourseIchosebecauseIhadoftennoted,fromthedrawbridge,ajuttingbuttressofrock,behindwhich,atleast,Ishouldbeoutofarrow-shot。Mycraftwastogivemyselfallthesemblanceofadrowningman,throwingupmyarms,whenIrosetoseewhereaboutIwasandtotakebreath,asmentosstheirlimbswhocannotswim。Onthesecondtimeofrisingthus,Isawmyselfclosetothejutofrock。Mynextdivetookmebehindit,andIletdownmyfeet,closeunderthesideofthisnaturalbuttress,tolookaround,beingmyselfnowconcealedfromthesightofthosewhowereonthebridge。
TomysurpriseItouchedbottom,forIhaddeemedthatthewaterwasverydeepthereby。NextIfoundthatIwasstandingonastepofhewnstone,andthataconcealedstaircase,cutintherock,goesdown,inthatplace,totheverybottomofthemoat;forwhatpurposeIknownot,butsoitis。{11}Iclimbedupthesteps,shookmyself,andwrungthewateroutofmyhair,lookingaboutthewhileforanysignofmyenemy,whohadblasphemedagainstmycountryandtheMaiden。Buttherewasnothingtoseeonthewatersavemyownclothcapfloating。Ontheothersideofthefosse,howbeit,menwerelaunchingapleasure-boat,whichlaybyastairatthefootofthefurtherwallofthefosse。Thesightofthemmademegladtocreepfurtherupthestepsthatroundedasharpcorner,tillIcameasfarasanironwicket-gate,whichseemedtocutoffmyretreat。ThereIstopped,deemingthatthewicketmustbelocked。Themenwerenowrowingtheboatintothemiddleofthewater,so,withoutexpectingtofindthegateopen,Itriedthehandle。Itturned,tomynolittleamazement;thegateswanglightlyaside,asifitshingeshadbeennewlyoiled,andIfollowedthestair-case,creepinguptheslimystepsinthehalf-dark。UpandroundIwent,tillIwaswellnighgiddy,andthenItrippedandreeledsothatmybodystruckagainstaheavyironeddoor。Undermyweightityieldedgently,andIstumbledacrossthethresholdofaroomthatsmelledstrangelysweetandwasverywarm,beingfullofthesun,andtheheatofagreatfire。
"Isthatyou,Robinofmyheart?"saidagirl'svoiceinFrench;
and,beforeIcouldmove,apairofarmswereroundmyneck。Backsheleaped,findingmeallwet,andnotthemanshelookedfor;andtherewebothstood,inasurprisethatpreventedeitherofusfromspeaking。
Shewasaprettylass,withbrownhairandbrightredcheeks,andwasdressedallinwhite,being,indeed,oneofthelaundressesofthecastle;andthiswarmroom,fragrantwithlavender,whereintoI
hadstumbled,waspartofthecastlelaundry。Amightyfirewasburning,andallthetableswerecoveredwithpilesandflatbasketsofwhitelinen,sweetwithscentedherbs。
Backthemaidsteppedtowardsthedoor,keepinghereyesonmine;
and,asshedidnotscream,Ideemedthatnonewerewithinhearing:
whereinIwaswrong,andshehadanotherreasonforholdingherpeace。
"Saveme,gentlemaid,ifyoumay,"Icriedatlast,fallingonmyknees,justwhereIstood:"Iamalucklessman,andstandinmuchperilofmylife。”
"Insoothyoudo,"shesaid,"ifRobertLindsayoftheScottishArchersfindsyouhere。Helovesnotthatanothershouldtakehisplaceatatryst。”
"Maiden,"Isaid,beginningtounderstandwhythegatewasunlocked,andwhereforeitwentsosmoothonitshinges,"IfearIhaveslainaman,oneoftheKing'sarchers。Wewrestledtogetheronthedraw-
bridge,andthepalisadebreaking,wefellintothemoat,whenceI
clombbythehiddenstairs。”
"Oneofthearchers!"criedshe,aspaleasalily,andcatchingathersidewithherhand。"WasheaScot?"
"No,maid,butIam;andIprayyouhideme,orshowmehowtoescapefromthiscastlewithmylife,andthatspeedily。”
"Comehither!"shesaid,drawingmethroughadoorintoasmall,square,emptyroomthatjuttedoutabovethemoat。"Theothermaidsareattheirdinner,"shewenton,"andIallalone——theseasonbeingLent,andIunderpenance,andthinkingofnodanger。”
Forwhichreason,Idoubtnot,namelythattheothershadgoneforth,shehadmadehertrystatthishourwithRobinLindsay。Buthe,ifhewas,asshesaid,oneoftheScottisharchersthatguardedthegate,wasbusyenoughbelikewiththetumultonthebridge,orinseekingforthebodyofmineenemy。
"HowtogetyouforthIknownot,"shesaid,"seeingthatfromyonderroomyoupassintothekitchenandthenceintotheguard-
room,andthenceagainbyapassageinthewallbehindthegreathall,andsoforthtothecourt,andthroughthegate,andtherebythereisnoescape:forseeyouthesoldiersmust,andwillavengetheircomrade。”
Hearingthisspeech,Iseemedtobeholdmyselfswingingbyatowfromatreebranch,adeathnotbeseemingoneofgentleblood。UpanddownIlooked,invain,andthenIturnedtothewindow,thinkingthat,asbetterwasnottobe,Imightdivethenceintothemoat,andtakemychanceofescapebythestairsonthefurtherside。Butthewindowwasheavilybarred。Yetagain,ifIwentforthbythedoor,andlurkedontheposternstair,therewasRobinLindsay'sdirktoreckonwith,whenhecame,alaggard,tohislove-
tryst。
"Stop!Ihaveit,"saidthegirl;andflyingintothelaundry,shereturnedwithagreatbundleofwhitewomen'sgearandagownoflinen,andawoman'swhitecoif,suchassheherselfwore。
Inlesstimethanamanwoulddeempossible,shehadmywethair,thatIworeaboutmyshoulders,asourstudent'smannerwas,tuckedupunderthecap,andthecleanwhitesmockovermywetclothes,andbeltedneatlyaboutmymiddle。
"Aprettywenchyoumake,IswearbySt。Valentine,"criedshe,fallingbacktolookatme,andthencomingforwardtopinupsomethingaboutmycoif,withherwhitefingers。
Ireckoneditnoharmtoofferherasisterlykiss。
"'TisluckyRobinLindsayislate,"criedshe,laughing,"thoughevenwerehehere,hecouldscarcefindfaultthatonemaidshouldkissanother。Now,"shesaid,snatchingupaflatcratefulloflinen,"carrythese,theKing'sshirts,andsorelypatchedtheyare,onyourhead;marchstraightthroughthekitchen,thenthroughtheguard-room,andthenbythedoorontheleftintothelongpassage,andsointothecourt,andbegone;theywillbuttakeyouforanewlycomeblanchisseuse。Onlyspeakaslittleasmaybe,foryourspeechmaybetrayyou。”Shekissedmeverykindlyonbothcheeks,forshewasasfrankalassaseverImet,andamerry。Then,leadingmetothedooroftheinnerroom,shepusheditopen,thesavouryreekofthekitchenpouringin。
"Makegoodspeed,Margot!"shecriedaloudafterme,sothatallcouldhear;andIwalkedstraightuptheKing'skitchen,fullasitwasofmenandboys,breakingsalads,spittingfowls,bastingmeatthoughitwasLent,butdoubtlesstheKinghadadispensationforhishealth'ssake,watchingpots,tastingdishes,andallinagreatbustleandclamour。Thebasketoflinenshadingmyface,I
feltthemoreemboldened,thoughmylegs,verily,trembledundermeasIwalked。ThroughtheroomIwent,noneregardingme,andsointotheguard-room,buttrulythiswasanothermatter。Somesoldiersweredicingatatable,somedrinking,somebrawlingoverthematterofthelatetumult,butallstoppedandlookedatme。
"Anewface,and,bySt。Andrew,afairone!"saidavoiceintheaccentofmyowncountry。
"Butshehasmightybigfeet;belikesheisacountrywomanofthine,"quothaFrencharcher;andmyheartsankwithinmeastheothercastatankardathishead。
"Come,mylass,"criedanother,aScot,withadice-boxinhishand,catchingatmyrobeasIpassed,"kissmeandgivemeluck,"and,strikingupmybasketoflinen,sothatthewareswereallscatteredonthefloor,hedrewmeontohisknee,andgavemeasmackthatreekedsorelyofgarlic。Nevercamemannearergettingasorebuffet,yetIheldmyhand。Then,makinghiscastwiththedice,hesworeroundly,whenhesawthathehadthrowndeuces。
"Luckyinlove,unluckyingaming。Lugoutyourlosings,"saidhisadversarywithalaugh;andthemanleftholdofmywaistandbeganfumblinginhispouch。Straightway,beingfree,Icastmyselfonthefloortopickupthelinen,andhidemyface,whichsoburnedthatitmusthaveseemedasredasthemostmodestmaidmighthavedeemedseemly。
"Leavethewenchalone;sheisnewcome,Iwarrant,andhasnolikingforyourwantonness,"saidakindvoice;and,glancingup,I
sawthathewhospokewasoneofthegentlemenwhohadriddenwiththeMaidenfromVaucouleurs。BertranddePoulengywashisname;
belikehewaswaitingwhiletheKingandthenoblesdevisedwiththeMaidenprivatelyinthegreathall。
Hestoopedandhelpedmetopickupmylinen,ascourteouslyasifI
hadbeenaprincessoftheblood;and,becausehewasagentleman,I
suppose,andastranger,thearchersdidnotmeddlewithhim,savetobreakcertainsoldiers'jests,makingmegladthatIwasotherthanIappeared。
"Come,"hesaid,"mylass,Iwillbeyourescort;itseemsthatFortunehaschosenmeforachampionofdames。”
Withthesewordsheledthewayforth,andthroughalongpassagelitfromabove,whichcameoutintothecourtatthestairsofthegreathall。
DownthesestairstheMaidenherselfwasgoing,herfaceheldhighandagladlookinhereyes,herconferencewiththeKingbeingended。Poulengyjoinedher;theysaidsomewordswhichIdidnothear,forIdeemedthatitbecamemetowalkforwardafterthankinghimbyalook,andbendingmyhead,forIdarednottrustmyforeigntongue。
BeforeIreachedthegatewaytheyhadjoinedme,whichIwasgladof,fearingmoreinsolencefromthesoldiers。Butthesemenheldtheirpeace,lookinggrave,andevenaffrighted,beingofthemwhohadheardtheprophecyoftheMaidenandseenitsfulfilment。
"Haveyefoundthebodyofthatman?"saidPoulengytoasergeant-
at-arms。
"Nay,sir,wedeemthathisarmourweighedhimdown,forheneverroseonce,thoughthatScot'sheadwasseenthriceandnomore。
Beliketheyaregood,peacefulfriendsatthebottomofthefossetogether。”
"Ofwhatmanspeakyou?"askedtheMaidenofPoulengy。
"Ofhimthatblasphemedaswewentbyanhourago。WrestlingwithaScotonsomequarrel,theybrokethepalisade,and——lo!therearejoinersalreadymendingit。'Tisoldandfrail。ThegentleDauphinisoverpoortokeepthefurnishingsofhiscastleasakingshoulddo。”
TheMaidengrewwanassun-driedgrassinsummerwhensheheardthisstorytold。Crossingherself,shesaid-
"Alas!Iwarnedhim,buthediedunconfessed。IwilldowhatImaytohaveMassessaidforthereposeofhissoul,poorman:andhesoyoung!"
Withthatshewept,forsheweptreadily,evenforalessthingthansuchadeathaswasthatarcher's。
Wehadnowcrossedthedrawbridge,whereatmyheartbeatmorelightly,andtheMaidentoldPoulengythatshewouldgotothehousewhereshelodged,nearthecastle。
"Andthence,"shesaid,"Imustfareintothetown,forIhavepromisedtovisitadamselofmyfriends,oneHeliotePoulvoir,ifI
mayfindmywaythither。Knowyou,gentledamsel,"shesaidtome,"wheresheabides?Orperchanceyoucanleadmethither,ifitliesonyourway。”
"Iwasevengoingthither,Pucelle,"Isaid,mincinginmyspeech;
whereatshelaughed,forofhernatureshewasmerry。
"ScotsareHelioteandherfather,andaScotarenotyoualso,damsel?yourspeechbetraysyou,"shesaid;"youallclingclosetogether,youScots,asbeseemsyouwell,beingstrangersinthissweetlandofFrance";andherfacelightedupasshespokethenamesheloved,andmyheartworshippedherwithreverence。
"Farewell,"shecriedtoPoulengy,smilinggraciously,andbowingwithsuchacourtesyasaqueenmightshow,forInoteditmyself,asdidallmen,thatthispeasantgirlhadthemannersoftheCourt,beingschooled,asIdeem,bythegreatestofladies,herfriendsSt。MargaretandSt。Catherine。
Then,withanarcher,whohadriddenbesideherfromVaucouleurs,followingafterherasheeverdid,theMaidenandIbegantogodownthesteepwaythatledtothetown。Littleshespoke,andallmythoughtwastoenterthehousebeforeElliotcouldspymeinmystrangedisguise。
CHAPTERVII——CONCERNINGTHEWRATHOFELLIOT,ANDTHEJEOPARDYOF
NORMANLESLIE
ThewhilewewentdownintothecityofChinon,amanattiredasamaid,amaidencladasaman——strangecompanions!——weheldbutlittleconverse。Hermind,belike,wasonfirewithagreatlightofhope,ofwhichafterwardsIlearned,andtheendofthedaysoftroubleandofmen'sdisbeliefseemedtohertobedrawingnear。Wemaynotknowwhatvisionsofvictoryandofauxiliaryangels,ofherKingcrowned,andfairFranceredeemedandatpeace,werepassingthroughherfancy。Thereforeshewasnotfaintotalk,beingatalltimesawomanoffewwords;andinthis,asinsomanyothermatters,unlikemostofhersex。
OnmysideIhadmorethanenoughtothinkof,formycaseandpresentjeopardywereenoughtoamazeolderandwiserheadsthanmine。For,imprimis,IhadslainoneoftheKing'sguards;and,moreover,hadstruckthefirstblow,thoughmyadversary,indeed,hadgivenmeuttermostprovocation。Butevenifmyenemiesallowedmetospeakinmyowndefence,whichmightscarcelybesavebymiracle,itwasscantlypossibleformetoprovethattheotherhadinsultedmeandmycountry。SomelittlehopeIhadthatSirPatrickOgilvie,nowconstableoftheScottishmen-at-armsinFrance,orSirHughKennedy,orsomeotherofourknights,mighttakeupmyquarrel,forthesakeofourcommonbloodandcountry,weScotsalwaysbackingeachtheotherwhenabroad。Yet,ontheotherhand,itwasmoreprobablethatImightbeswinging,withaflockofcrowspeckingatmyface,beforeanyofmycountrymencouldspeakawordformewiththeKing。
Itistruethattheywhowouldmosteagerlyhavesoughtmylifedeemedmealreadydead,drownedinthefosse,andsowouldmakenosearchforme。Yet,assoonasIwentaboutmymaster'saffairs,asneedsImust,Iwouldbeknownandtaken;and,aswesayinourcountryproverb,"mycraigwouldkentheweightofmyhurdies。”{12}
Nonetheless,seeingthatthesoldiersdeemedmedead,ImightreadilyescapeatoncefromChinon,andtaketotheroadsagain,ifbutIcouldreachmymaster'shouseunseen,andgetridofthisfoolishfemininegearofcapandpetticoatwhichnowIworetomygreatshameanddiscomfort。
Butonthishandlaylittlehope;for,onceontheroad,Ishouldbeinaworsejeopardythaneverbefore,asanapprenticefledfrommymaster,and,moreover,withbloodonmyhands。Moreover,IcouldillbrookthethoughtofleavingElliot,towhommyheartwentforthinlove,andofmissingmychancetostrikeablowinthewarsfortheMaiden,andagainsttheEnglish;ofwhichrewardIhadthepromisefrommymaster。Fortune,andfame,andlove,ifIweretogainwhateveryyoungmanmostdesires,wereonlytobewonbyremainingatChinon;butthere,too,thefaceofdeathwasclosetomine——as,indeed,death,oratleastshameandpoverty,layambushedformeonallsides。
HereIsadlyrememberedhow,withalightheart,IhadleftSt。
Andrews,deemingthatthestoryofmylifewasnowabouttobegin,asitdidformanyyoungesquiresofGreeceandotherlands,concerningwhomIhadreadinromances。Verilyinthetaleofmyadventureshithertotherehadbeenmorecuffsthancrowns,moreshamethanhonour;and,astowinningmyspurs,Iwasmoreinpointtowinahempenrope,andinmyenddisgracemyblood。
Now,asiftheseperilswerenotenoughtoputamanbesidehimself,therewasanotherriskwhich,evenmorethanthese,tookupmythoughts。Amongallmydangersandmanifolddistresses,thisraiseditsheadhighestinmyfancy,namely,thefearthatmyloveshouldseemeinmyoutlandishguise,cladinwoman'sweeds,andcarryingonmyheadawoman'sburden。Itwasnotsomuchthatshemustneedslaughandholdmeinlittleaccount。Elliotlaughedoften,sothatnowitwasnothermirth,towhichshewaseverready,butherwrathwheretoshewasreadyalsothatIheldinawfulregard。Forherheartandfaith,inamarvellousmannerpassingtheloveofwomen,werewhollysetonthismaid,inwhosecompanyInowfared。And,iftheMaidwentinmen'sattireasneedsshemust,formodesty'ssake,whowasaboutmen'sbusiness,inmen'scompany,herewasI
attendingherinwoman'sgear,asiftomakeamockofher,thoughinmymindIdeemedhernolessthanasisterofthesaints。AndElliotwassuretobelievethatIcarriedmyselfthusinmockeryandtomakelaughter;for,atthattime,thereweremanyinFrancewhomocked,asdidthatsoldierwhosedeathIhadseenandcaused。ThusIstoodinnomoredangerofdeath,greataswasthatrisk,thaninjeopardyofmymistress'sfavour,which,indeed,oflateIhadbeeninsomescanthopeatlasttowin。Thus,onallhands,Iseemedtomyselfassorebesteadasevermanwas,andonnosidesawanyhopeofsuccour。
Imusedsolonganddeeponthesethings,thatthethoughtwhichmighthavehelpedmecametometoolate,namely,totellallmytaletotheMaidenherself,andthrowmeonhermercy。Nay,evenwhenatlastandlatethislightshoneonmymind,Ihadshametospeaktoher,consideringthemarvellousthingwhichIhadjustbeheldofher,inthefulfilmentofherprophecy。Butnowmymaster'shousewasinsight,attheturningfromthesteepstairsandthewynd,andtherestoodElliotonthedoorstep,watchingandwaitingfortheMaid,asagirlmaywaitforherlovercomingfromthewars。
Therewasnotimegivenmetoslinkbackandskulkintheshadowofthecornerofthewynd;for,likeagreyhoundinspeed,ElliothadflowntousandwaskneelingtotheMaid,who,withadeepblushandsomeangerinherface——forshelovednosuchobeisances——badeherrise,andsokissedandembracedher,asyounggirlsuseamongthemselveswhentheyarefriendsandfainofeachother。Ihadturnedmyselftogoapartintotheshadowofthecorner,assecretlyasImight,whenIranstraightintothearmsofthearcherthatfollowedclosebehindus。Onthisencounterhegaveagreatlaugh,and,Ibelieve,wouldhavekissedme;but,theMaidenlookinground,hestooderectandgraveasasoldieronguard,fortheMaidenwouldsuffernolightlovesanddaffing。
"Whithermakeyou,damsel,insuchhaste?"shecriedtome。"Come,letmepresentyoutothisdamsel,myfriend——andoneofyourowncountry-women。Elliot,mamie,"shesaidtomymistress,"hereisthiskindlass,aScotlikeyourself,whohasguidedmeallthewayfromthecastlehither,and,faith,thewayishardtofind。Doyouthankherforme,andlethersitdowninyourhouse:shemustbewearywiththeweightofherbasketandherlinen"——forthese,whenshespoketome,Ihadlaidontheground。WiththissheledmeuptoElliotbythehand,whobegantoshowmeverygraciouscountenance,andtothankme,myfaceburningallthewhilewithconfusionandfearofheranger。
Suddenlyanewlook,suchasIhadneverseenbeforeonherfaceinherlightangers,cameintohereyes,whichgrewhardandcold,hermouthalsoshowingstiff;andsoshestood,pale,gazingsternly,andasoneunabletospeak。Then-
"Gooutofmysight,"shesaid,verylow,"andfrommyfather'shouse!Forthwithyouforamockerandagangrelloon!"——speakinginourcommonScots,——"andherdwiththebasethievesfromwhomyoucame,cowardandmockingmalapert!"
Thestormhadfallenonmyhead,evenasIfeareditmust,andI
stoodasonebereftofspeechandreason。
TheMaidknewnowordofourspeech,andthispassionofElliot's,andsosuddenachangefromkindnesstowrath,werewhatshemightnotunderstand。
"Elliot,mamie,"shesaid,verysweetly,"whatmeanyoubythisanger?Thedamselhastreatedmewithnolittlefavour。Tellme,I
pray,inwhatshehasoffended。”
ButElliot,notlookingather,saidtomeagain,andthistimetearsleapedupinhereyes——"Forthwithyou!begone,ereIcallthatarchertodragyoubeforethejudgesofthegoodtown。”
Iwasnowdesperate,for,cladasIwas,thearcherhadmeatanavail,and,ifIweretakenbeforethemenofthelaw,allwouldbeknown,andmyshriftwouldbeshort。