mother was of England. I gave my name but not
that of our lands, and showed him how I had been wandering north, to take
service with the Dauphin, when I was set upon, and robbed and bound by
thieves, for I had no clearness as to telling him all my tale, and no
desire to claim acquaintance with Brother Thomas.

"And the jackanapes?" he asked, whereto I had no better answer than that
I had seen the beast with a wandering violer on the day before, and that
she having lost it, as I supposed, it had come to me in the night.

The girl was standing with the creature in her arms, feeding it with
pieces of comfits from a pouch fastened at her girdle.

"The little beast is not mine to give," I went on, seeing how she had an
affection to the ape, "but till the owner claims it, it is all the ransom
I have to pay for my life, and I would fain see it wear the colours of
this gentle maid who saved me. It has many pretty tricks, but though to-
day I be a beggar, I trow she will not let it practise that ill trick of
begging."

"Sooner would I beg myself, fair sir," she said, with such a courtly
reverence as surprised me; for though they seemed folks well to see in
the world, they were not, methought, of noble blood, nor had they with
them any company of palfreniers or archers.

"Elliot, you feed the jackanapes and let our countryman hunger," said the
man; and, blushing again, she made haste to give me some of the provision
she had made for her journey.

So I ate and drank, she waiting on me very gently; but now, being weary
of painful writing, and hearing the call to the refectory, and the
brethren trampling thither, I must break off, for, if I be late, they
will sconce me of my ale. Alas! it is to these little cares of creature
comforts that I am come, who have seen the face of so many a war, and
lived and fought on rat's flesh at Compiegne.

CHAPTER IV--IN WHAT COMPANY NORMAN LESLIE ENTERED CHINON; AND HOW HE
DEMEANED HIMSELF TO TAKE SERVICE

Not seemly, was it, that I should expect these kind people, even though
they were of my own country, to do more for me than they had already
done. So, when I had eaten and drunk, I made my obeisance as if I would
be trudging towards Chinon, adding many thanks, as well I might.

"Nay, countryman," said the man, "for all that I can see, you may as well
bide a while with us; for, indeed, with leave of my graceless maid, I
think we may even end our wild-goose chase here and get