hall.

Down these stairs the Maiden herself was going, her face held high and a
glad look in her eyes, her conference with the King being ended. Poulengy
joined her; they said some words which I did not hear, for I deemed that
it became me to walk forward after thanking him by a look, and bending my
head, for I dared not trust my foreign tongue.

Before I reached the gateway they had joined me, which I was glad of,
fearing more insolence from the soldiers. But these men held their
peace, looking grave, and even affrighted, being of them who had heard
the prophecy of the Maiden and seen its fulfilment.

"Have ye found the body of that man?" said Poulengy to a
sergeant-at-arms.

"Nay, sir, we deem that his armour weighed him down, for he never rose
once, though that Scot's head was seen thrice and no more. Belike they
are good, peaceful friends at the bottom of the fosse together."

"Of what man speak you?" asked the Maiden of Poulengy.

"Of him that blasphemed as we went by an hour ago. Wrestling with a Scot
on some quarrel, they broke the palisade, and--lo! there are joiners
already mending it. 'Tis old and frail. The gentle Dauphin is over poor
to keep the furnishings of his castle as a king should do."

The Maiden grew wan as sun-dried grass in summer when she heard this
story told. Crossing herself, she said--