bestow her?"

"Good faith, I cannot tell," said the Prince. "Take her to Sir John
Ramorny's lodging. But, no--no--he is ill at ease, and besides,
there are reasons; take her to the devil if thou wilt, but place
her in safety, and oblige David of Rothsay."

"My noble Prince," said the smith, "I think, always with reverence,
that I would rather give a defenceless woman to the care of the
devil than of Sir John Ramorny. But though the devil be a worker in
fire like myself, yet I know not his haunts, and with aid of Holy
Church hope to keep him on terms of defiance. And, moreover, how
I am to convey her out of this crowd, or through the streets, in
such a mumming habit may be well made a question."

"For the leaving the convent," said the Prince, "this good monk"
(seizing upon the nearest by his cowl)--"Father Nicholas or
Boniface--"

"Poor brother Cyprian, at your Highness's command," said the father.

"Ay--ay, brother Cyprian," continued the Prince--"yes. Brother
Cyprian shall let you out at some secret passage which he knows
of, and I will see him again to pay a prince's thanks for it."

The churchman bowed in acquiescence, and poor Louise, who, during
this debate, had looked from the one speaker to the other, hastily
said, "I will not scandalise this good man with my foolish garb:
I have a mantle for ordinary wear."