ever pressed the good town more closely, building new bastilles and other
great works, so as to close the way from Blois against any that came
thence of our party with victual and men-at-arms. And daily there was
fighting without the walls, wherein now one side had the better, now the
other; but food was scant in Orleans, and many were slain by
cannon-shots. Yet much was spoken of a new cannonier, lately come to aid
the men of Orleans, and how he and John of Lorraine slew many of the
hardiest of the English with their couleuvrines.

At this telling I bethought me of Brother Thomas, but spoke no word
concerning him, for my mistress began very gladly to devise of her dear
Maid, concerning whom, indeed, she could never long be silent. "Faithless
heart and fickle," I said in a jest, "I believe you love that Maid more
than you love me, and as she wears sword at side, like a man, I must even
challenge her to fight in the island."

Here she stayed my speech in the best manner and the most gracious,
laughing low, so that, verily, I was clean besotted with love, and
marvelled that any could be so fair as she, and how I could have won such
a lady.

"Beware how you challenge my Maid," said she at last, "for she fights but
on horseback, with lance and sperthe, {20} and the Duc d'Alencon has seen
her tilt at the ring, and has given her the best steed in his stables,
whereon she shall soon lead her army to Orleans."

"Then I must lay by my quarrel, for who am I to challenge my captain?
But, tell me, hath she heard any word of thee and me?"

Elliot waxed rosy, and whispered--