第58章 HOW SORROW CAME ON NORMAN LESLIE,AND JOY THEREAFTE

And who so glad as Elliot when the Maid put this command on her,after we got thy letter?I myself was most eager to ride,not only for your sake,but to see how Orleans stood after the long pounding.

But when we had come to our lodging,and I was now starting off to greet you,Elliot made no motion of rising.Nay,when I bade her make haste,she said that haste there was none;and when I,marvelling,asked,'Wherefore?'answered that she was loth to spoil good company,and had seen you,as I did myself,happy enough with the lass who nursed you,and who had written to her.""And wherefore,in Heaven's name,should we not be happy on such a day as this was an hour agone?But now the sun is out of the sky.""I see him plainer than ever I did in the Merse,"said my master,looking up where the sun was bright in the west."But what would you?Women have been thus since Eve had a daughter,for our father Adam,I trow,had no trouble with other ladies than his wife--and that was trouble enough.""But how am I to make my peace,and win my pardon,being innocent as I am?""Faith,I know not!"said he,and laughed again,which angered me some deal,for what was there to laugh at?

"May I let bring a litter,for I cannot yet walk,and so go back with you to her?""Indeed,I doubt if it were wise,"said he;and so we stood gazing at each other,while I could have wept for very helpless anger."Ihave it,I think,"said he at last."The Maid is right busy,as needs must be,gathering guns and food for her siege of Jargeau.

But it is not fitting that she should visit Orleans without seeing you,nor would she wish to be so negligent.Yet if she were,Iwould put it in her mind,and then,when you are with her,which Elliot shall not know,I will see that Elliot comes into the chamber,and so leave all to you,and to her,and to the Maid.For she hath great power with that silly wench of mine,who has no other desire,I trow,than a good excuse to be rid of her sudden anger.

If she loved you less,she would be never so fiery."I myself could see no better hope or comfort.

Then he began to devise with me on other matters,and got from me the story of my great peril at the hands of Brother Thomas.He laughed at the manner of my outwitting that miscreant,who had never been taken,but was fled none knew whither,and my master promised to tell the tale to the Maid,and warn her against this enemy.And so bidding me be of good cheer,he departed;but for my part,I went into my chamber,drew the bolt,and cast myself on the bed,refusing meat or drink,or to see the face of man or woman.

I was devoured by a bitter anger,considering how my lady had used me,and what was most sore of all,reflecting that I could no longer hold her for a thing all perfect,and almost without touch of mortal infirmity.Nay,she was a woman like another,and unjust,and to deem thus of her was to me the most cruel torment.We could never forgive each the other,so it seemed to me,nor be again as we had been.And all the next day no message came for me,and I kept myself quiet,apart in my chamber.Lest they who read mock at me in their hearts,and at my lady,let them remember how young we both were,and how innocent of other experience in love.For the Roman says that "the angers of lovers are love's renewal,"as the brief tempests of April bring in the gladness of May.But in my heart it was all white sleet,and wind,and snow unseasonable,and so I lay,out of all comfort,tossing on my bed.

I heard the watchmen call the hours through the night,and very early,having at length fallen on sleep,I was wakened by a messenger from the Maid.It was her page,Louis de Coutes,most richly attired,but still half asleep,grumbling,and rubbing his eyes.