," she said, "the King will be sacred at
Rheims, and the Maid will give you red wine to drink in Paris town, and
the English will be swept into the sea, and then we shall have peace and
abundance."

"And then shall we be wedded, and never part," I cried; whereat she
blushed, bidding me not be over bold, for her heart might yet change, and
so laughed again; and thus we fleeted the time, till her father came and
sent her about disposing such things as she must take with her. Among
these she was set on carrying her jackanapes, to make her merry on the
road, though here I was of another counsel. For in so great a gathering
there must be many gangrel folk, and among them, peradventure, the violer
woman, who would desire to have the creature given back to her. But, if
it were so, Elliot said she would purchase the jackanapes, "for I am no
lifter of other men's cattle, as all you Scots are, and I am fain to own
my jackanapes honestly."

So she carried him with her, the light chain about her wrist, and he
riding on her saddle-bow, for presently, with many banners waving and
with singing of hymns, came the troop who wended together on pilgrimage.
Many townsfolk well armed were there to guard their women; the flags of
all the crafts were on the wind; the priests carried blessed banners; so
with this goodly company, and her confessor, and her father's old
kinswoman, Elliot rode away. The jackanapes was screeching on her saddle-
bow, her yellow hair was lifted on her shoulder with the light breeze;
her father rode the first two stages with them. Merry enough they seemed
that went, and the bells were chiming, but I was left alone, my heart
empty, or only full of useless longings. I betook myself, therefore, to
a chapel hard by, and there made my orisons for their safety and for good
speed to the Maid and her holy enterprise.

Thereafter there was no similitude for me and my unhappy estate, save
that of a dog who has lost his master in a strange place, and goes
questing everywhere, and comfortless. Then Randal Rutherford, coming to
visit me, found me such a lackmirth, he said, and my wits so distraught,
that a love-sick wench were better company for a man-at-arms.

"Cheer up, man," he said. "Look at me, did I not leave my heart at
Branxholme Mains with Mally Grieve, and so in every town where I have
been in garrison, and do you see me cast down? Off with this green
sickness, or never will you have strength to march with t