Then, with an archer, who had ridden beside her from Vaucouleurs,
following after her as he ever did, the Maiden and I began to go down the
steep way that led to the town. Little she spoke, and all my thought was
to enter the house before Elliot could spy me in my strange disguise.




CHAPTER VII--CONCERNING THE WRATH OF ELLIOT, AND THE JEOPARDY OF NORMAN
LESLIE


The while we went down into the city of Chinon, a man attired as a maid,
a maiden clad as a man--strange companions!--we held but little converse.
Her mind, belike, was on fire with a great light of hope, of which
afterwards I learned, and the end of the days of trouble and of men's
disbelief seemed to her to be drawing near. We may not know what visions
of victory and of auxiliary angels, of her King crowned, and fair France
redeemed and at peace, were passing through her fancy. Therefore she was
not fain to talk, being at all times a woman of few words; and in this,
as in so many other matters, unlike most of her sex.

On my side I had more than enough to think of, for my case and present
jeopardy were enough to amaze older and wiser heads than mine. For,
imprimis, I had slain one of the King's guards; and, moreover, had struck
the first blow, though my adversary, indeed, had given me uttermost
provocation. But even if my enemies allowed me to speak in my own
defence, which might scarcely be save by miracle, it was scantly possible
for me to prove that the other had insulted me and my country. Some
little hope I had that Sir Patrick Ogilvie, now constable of the Scottish