merry, and weeping rather than laughing, though, even in her utmost need,
her heart could be light and her mirth free: a manner that is uncommon
even among brave men, but, in women, never known by me save in her. For
it is the way of women to be very busy and seriously concerned about the
smallest things, whereat a man only smiles. But she, with her life at
stake, could pluck gaiety forth of danger, if the peril threatened none
but herself. These manners of hers I learned to know and marvel at in
the later days that came too soon; but now in my chamber, I shifted my
wet raiment for dry with a heart wondrous light. My craig {13} was in
peril, as we say, neither less nor more than half an hour agone, but I
had escaped the anger of Elliot; and even, as I deemed, had won more of
her good countenance, seeing that I had struck a blow for Scotland and
for her friend. This thought made me great cheer in my heart; as I
heard, from the room below, the voices of the two girls devising together
very seriously for nigh the space of an hour. But, knowing that they
might have matters secret between themselves to tell of, for the Maiden
had said that she brought good tidings, I kept coy and to myself in my
little upper chamber. To leave the house, indeed, was more than my life
was worth. Now to fly and hide was what I could not bring myself to
venture; here I would stay where my heart was, and take what fortune the
saints might send. So I endured to wait, and not gladden myself with the
sight of Elliot, and the knowledge of how I now stood with her. To me
this was great penance, but at last the voices ceased, and, looking
secretly from the window, I saw the Maiden depart, her archer following
her.

Now I could no longer bridle in my desire to be with Elliot, and learn
whether I was indeed forgiven, and how I stood in her favour. So,
passing down the stair that led from my cubicle, I stood at the door of
the room wherein she was and knocked twice. But none answered, and,