Through mail shirts.

This device had cost the armourer some thought, and he was much
satisfied with his composition, because it seemed to imply that
his skill could defend all hearts saving his own.

He wrapped himself in his cloak, and hastened through the still
silent streets, determined to appear at the window appointed a
little before dawn.

With this purpose he passed up the High Street, and turned down
the opening where St. John's Church now stands, in order to proceed
to Curfew Street; when it occurred to him, from the appearance of
the sky, that he was at least an hour too early for his purpose,
and that it would be better not to appear at the place of rendezvous
till nearer the time assigned. Other gallants were not unlikely
to be on the watch as well as himself about the house of the Fair
Maid of Perth; and he knew his own foible so well as to be sensible
of the great chance of a scuffle arising betwixt them.

"I have the advantage," he thought, "by my father Simon's friendship;
and why should I stain my fingers with the blood of the poor
creatures that are not worthy my notice, since they are so much
less fortunate than myself? No--no, I will be wise for once, and
keep at a distance from all temptation to a broil. They shall have
no more time to quarrel with me than just what it may require for
me to give the signal, and for my father Simon to answer it. I
wonder how the old man will contrive to bring her to the window? I
fear, if she knew his purpose, he would find it difficult to carry
it into execution."