A Monk of Fife

by Various

  CHAPTER VII--CONCERNING THE WRATH OF ELLIOT, AND THE JEOPARDY OF NORMANLESLIE

  The while we went down into the city of Chinon, a man attired as a maid,a maiden clad as a man--strange companions!--we held but little converse.Her mind, belike, was on fire with a great light of hope, of whichafterwards I learned, and the end of the days of trouble and of men'sdisbelief seemed to her to be drawing near. We may not know what visionsof victory and of auxiliary angels, of her King crowned, and fair Franceredeemed and at peace, were passing through her fancy. Therefore she wasnot fain to talk, being at all times a woman of few words; and in this,as in so many other matters, unlike most of her sex.

  On my side I had more than enough to think of, for my case and presentjeopardy were enough to amaze older and wiser heads than mine. For,imprimis, I had slain one of the King's guards; and, moreover, had struckthe first blow, though my adversary, indeed, had given me uttermostprovocation. But even if my enemies allowed me to speak in my owndefence, which might scarcely be save by miracle, it was scantly possiblefor me to prove that the other had insulted me and my country. Somelittle hope I had that Sir Patrick Ogilvie, now constable of the Scottishmen-at-arms in France, or Sir Hugh Kennedy, or some other of our knights,might take up my quarrel, for the sake of our common blood and country,we Scots always backing each the other when abroad. Yet, on the otherhand, it was more probable that I might be swinging, with a flock ofcrows pecking at my face, before any of my countrymen could speak a wordfor me with the King.

  It is true that they who would most eagerly have sought my life deemed mealready dead, drowned in the fosse, and so would make no search for me.Yet, as soon as I went about my master's affairs, as needs I must, Iwould be known and taken; and, as we say in our country proverb, "mycraig would ken the weight of my hurdies." {12} None the less, seeingthat the soldiers deemed me dead, I might readily escape at once fromChinon, and take to the roads again, if but I could reach my master'shouse unseen, and get rid of this foolish feminine gear of cap andpetticoat which now I wore to my great shame and discomfort.

  But on this hand lay little hope; for, once on the road, I should be in aworse jeopardy than ever before, as an apprentice fled from my master,and, moreover, with blood on my hands. Moreover, I could ill brook thethought of leaving Elliot, to whom my heart went forth in love, and ofmissing my chance to strike a blow in the wars for the Maiden, andagainst the English; of which reward I had the promise from my master.Fortune, and fame, and love, if I were to gain what every young man mostdesires, were only to be won by remaining at Chinon; but there, too, theface of death was close to mine--as, indeed, death, or at least shame andpoverty, lay ambushed for me on all sides.

  Here I sadly remembered how, with a light heart, I had left St. Andrews,deeming that the story of my life was now about to begin, as it did formany young esquires of Greece and other lands, concerning whom I had readin romances. Verily in the tale of my adventures hitherto there had beenmore cuffs than crowns, more shame than honour; and, as to winning myspurs, I was more in point to win a hempen rope, and in my end disgracemy blood.

  Now, as if these perils were not enough to put a man beside himself,there was another risk which, even more than these, took up my thoughts.Among all my dangers and manifold distresses, this raised its headhighest in my fancy, namely, the fear that my love should see me in myoutlandish guise, clad in woman's weeds, and carrying on my head awoman's burden. It was not so much that she must needs laugh and hold mein little account. Elliot laughed often, so that now it was not hermirth, to which she was ever ready, but her wrath (whereto she was readyalso) that I held in awful regard. For her heart and faith, in amarvellous manner passing the love of women, were wholly set on thismaid, in whose company I now fared. And, if the Maid went in men'sattire (as needs she must, for modesty's sake, who was about men'sbusiness, in men's company), here was I attending her in woman's gear, asif to make a mock of her, though in my mind I deemed her no less than asister of the saints. And Elliot was sure to believe that I carriedmyself thus in mockery and to make laughter; for, at that time, therewere many in France who mocked, as did that soldier whose death I hadseen and caused. Thus I stood in no more danger of death, great as wasthat risk, than in jeopardy of my mistress's favour, which, indeed, oflate I had been in some scant hope at last to win. Thus, on all hands, Iseemed to myself as sore bestead as ever man was, and on no side saw anyhope of succour.

  I mused so long and deep on these things, that the thought which mighthave helped me came to me too late, namely, to tell all my tale to theMaiden herself, and throw me on her mercy. Nay, even when at last andlate this light shone on my mind, I had shame to speak to her,considering the marvellous thing which I had just beheld of her, in thefulfilment of her prophecy. But now my master's house was in sight, atthe turning from the steep stairs and the wynd, and there stood Elliot onthe doorstep, watching and waiting for the Maid, as a girl may wait forher lover coming from the wars.

  There was no time given me to slink back and skulk in the shadow of thecorner of the wynd; for, like a greyhound in speed, Elliot had flown tous and was kneeling to the Maid, who, with a deep blush and some anger inher face--for she loved no such obeisances--bade her rise, and so kissedand embraced her, as young girls use among themselves when they arefriends and fain of each other. I had turned myself to go apart into theshadow of the corner, as secretly as I might, when I ran straight intothe arms of the archer that followed close behind us. On this encounterhe gave a great laugh, and, I believe, would have kissed me; but, theMaiden looking round, he stood erect and grave as a soldier on guard, forthe Maiden would suffer no light loves and daffing.

  "Whither make you, damsel, in such haste?" she cried to me. "Come, letme present you to this damsel, my friend--and one of your own country-women. Elliot, ma mie," she said to my mistress, "here is this kindlass, a Scot like yourself, who has guided me all the way from the castlehither, and, faith, the way is hard to find. Do you thank her for me,and let her sit down in your house: she must be weary with the weight ofher basket and her linen"--for these, when she spoke to me, I had laid onthe ground. With this she led me up to Elliot by the hand, who began toshow me very gracious countenance, and to thank me, my face burning allthe while with confusion and fear of her anger.

  Suddenly a new look, such as I had never seen before on her face in herlight angers, came into her eyes, which grew hard and cold, her mouthalso showing stiff; and so she stood, pale, gazing sternly, and as oneunable to speak. Then--

  "Go out of my sight," she said, very low, "and from my father's house!Forth with you for a mocker and a gangrel loon!"--speaking in our commonScots,--"and herd with the base thieves from whom you came, coward andmocking malapert!"

  The storm had fallen on my head, even as I feared it must, and I stood asone bereft of speech and reason.

  The Maid knew no word of our speech, and this passion of Elliot's, and sosudden a change from kindness to wrath, were what she might notunderstand.

  "Elliot, ma mie," she said, very sweetly, "what mean you by this anger?The damsel has treated me with no little favour. Tell me, I pray, inwhat she has offended."

  But Elliot, not looking at her, said to me again, and this time tearsleaped up in her eyes--"Forth with you! begone, ere I call that archer todrag you before the judges of the good town."

  I was now desperate, for, clad as I was, the archer had me at an avail,and, if I were taken before the men of the law, all would be known, andmy shrift would be short.

  "Gracious Pucelle," I said, in French, turning to the Maiden, "my life,and the fortune of one who would gladly fight to the death by your side,are in your hands. For the love of the blessed saints, your sisters, andof Him who sends you on your holy mission, pray this demoiselle to let meenter the house with you, and tell my tale to you and her. If I satisfyyou not of my honour and good intent, I am ready, in this hour, to gobefore the men of law, and deliver myself up to their justice. Forthough my life is in jeopardy, I dread
death less than the anger of thishonourable demoiselle. And verily this is a matter of instant life ordeath."

  So saying, I clasped my hands in the manner of one in prayer, setting allmy soul into my speech, as a man desperate.

  The Maiden had listened very gravely, and sweetly she smiled when myprayer was ended.

  "Verily," she said to me, "here is deeper water than I can fathom.Elliot, ma mie, you hear how gently, and in what distress, this fair lassbeseeches us."

  "Fair lass!" cried Elliot: and then broke off between a sob and a laugh,her hand catching at her side.

  "If you love me," said the Maid, looking on her astonished, and notwithout anger--"if you love me, as you have said, you that are the firstof my comforters, and, till this day, my only friend in your strangetown, let the lass come in and tell us her tale. For, even if she bedistraught, and beside herself, as I well deem, I am sent to be a friendof all them that suffer. Moreover, ma mie, I have glad tidings for you,which I am longing to speak, but speak it I will never, while the lassgoes thus in terror and fear of death or shame."

  In saying these last words, the fashion of her countenance was changed toa sweet entreaty and command, such as few could have beheld and deniedher what she craved, and she laid her hand lightly on Elliot's shoulder.

  "Come," said Elliot, "be it as you will; come in with me; andyou"--turning to myself--"do you follow us."

  They passed into the house, I coming after, and the archer waiting at thedoor.

  "Let none enter," said the Maiden to her archer, "unless any come to mefrom the King, or unless it be the master of the house."

  We passed into the chamber where my master was wont to paint his missalsand psalters when he would be alone. Then Elliot very graciously badethe Maiden be seated, but herself stood up, facing me.

  "Gracious Maiden, and messenger of the holy saints," she said, "thislass, as you deem her, is no woman, but a man, my father's apprentice,who has clad himself thus to make of you a mockery and a laughing-stock,because that you, being a maid, go attired as a man, by the will of Themwho sent you to save France. Have I said enough, and do I well to beangry?" and her eyes shone as she spoke.

  The Maiden's brows met in wrath; she gazed upon me steadfastly, and Ilooked--sinful man that I am!--to see her hand go to the hilt of thesword that she wore. But, making no motion, she only said--

  "And thou, wherefore hast thou mocked at one who did thee no evil, and atthis damsel, thy master's daughter?"

  "Gentle Maiden," I said, "listen to me for but a little moment. It maybe, when thou hast heard all, that thou wilt still be wroth with me,though not for mockery, which was never in my mind. But the gentledamsel, thy friend, will assuredly pardon me, who have already put mylife in peril for thy sake, and for the sake of our dear country ofScotland and her good name."

  "Thy life in peril for me! How mean you? I stood in no danger, and Inever saw your face before."

  "Yet hast thou saved my life," I said; "but of that we may devisehereafter. I am, indeed, though a gentleman by blood and birth, theapprentice of the father of this damsel, thy friend, who is himself agentleman and of a good house, but poverty drives men to strange shifts.This day I went with my master to the castle, and I was on the drawbridgewhen thou, with the gentlemen thy esquires, passed over it to see theKing. On that bridge a man-at-arms spoke to thee shameful words,blaspheming the holy name of God. No sooner hadst thou gone by than heturned on me, reviling my native country of Scotland. Then I, notdeeming that to endure such taunts became my birth and breeding, struckhim on his lying mouth. Then, as we wrestled on the bridge, we bothstruck against the barrier, which was low, frail, and old, so that itgave way under our weight, and we both fell into the moat. When I rosehe was not in sight, otherwise I would have saved him by swimming, for Idesire to have the life of no man on my hands in private quarrel. Butthe archers shot at me from the drawbridge, so that I had to take thoughtfor myself. By swimming under the water I escaped, behind a juttingrock, to a secret stair, whence I pushed my way into a chamber of thecastle. Therein was a damsel, busy with the linen, who, of her goodwill,clad me in this wretched apparel above my own garb, and so, for thattime, saved my life, and I passed forth unknown; but yet hath caused meto lose what I prize more highly than life--that is, the graciouscountenance of this gentle lady, thy friend and my master's daughter,whom it is my honour and duty in all things to please and serve. Tellme, then, do I merit your wrath as a jester and a mock-maker, or doesthis gentle lady well to be angry with her servitor?"

  The Maiden crossed herself, and murmured a prayer for the soul of him whohad died in the moat. But Elliot instantly flew to me, and, dragging offmy woman's cap, tore with her fair hands at the white linen smock aboutmy neck and waist, so that it was rent asunder and fell on the floor,leaving me clad in my wet doublet and hose.

  At this sight, without word spoken, she broke out into the merriestlaughter that ever I heard, and the most welcome; and the Maid too,catching the malady of her mirth, laughed low and graciously, so that tosee and hear her was marvel.

  "Begone!" cried Elliot--"begone, and shift thy dripping gear"; and, as Ifled swiftly to my chamber, I heard her laughter yet, though there came asob into it; but for the Maid, she had already stinted in her mirth ere Ileft the room.

  In this strange and unseemly fashion did I first come into the knowledgeof this admirable Maid--whom, alas! I was to see more often sad thanmerry, and weeping rather than laughing, though, even in her utmost need,her heart could be light and her mirth free: a manner that is uncommoneven among brave men, but, in women, never known by me save in her. Forit is the way of women to be very busy and seriously concerned about thesmallest things, whereat a man only smiles. But she, with her life atstake, could pluck gaiety forth of danger, if the peril threatened nonebut herself. These manners of hers I learned to know and marvel at inthe later days that came too soon; but now in my chamber, I shifted mywet raiment for dry with a heart wondrous light. My craig {13} was inperil, as we say, neither less nor more than half an hour agone, but Ihad escaped the anger of Elliot; and even, as I deemed, had won more ofher good countenance, seeing that I had struck a blow for Scotland andfor her friend. This thought made me great cheer in my heart; as Iheard, from the room below, the voices of the two girls devising togethervery seriously for nigh the space of an hour. But, knowing that theymight have matters secret between themselves to tell of, for the Maidenhad said that she brought good tidings, I kept coy and to myself in mylittle upper chamber. To leave the house, indeed, was more than my lifewas worth. Now to fly and hide was what I could not bring myself toventure; here I would stay where my heart was, and take what fortune thesaints might send. So I endured to wait, and not gladden myself with thesight of Elliot, and the knowledge of how I now stood with her. To methis was great penance, but at last the voices ceased, and, lookingsecretly from the window, I saw the Maiden depart, her archer followingher.

  Now I could no longer bridle in my desire to be with Elliot, and learnwhether 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 ofthe room wherein she was and knocked twice. But none answered, and,venturing to enter, I heard the sound of a stifled sob. She had thrownherself on a settle, her face turned to the wall, and the afternoon sunwas shining on her yellow hair, which lay loose upon her shoulders.

  I dared to say no word, and she only made a motion of her hand towardsme, that I should begone, without showing me the light of hercountenance. On this I went forth stealthily, my heart again very heavy,for the Maiden had spoken of learning good tidings; and wherefore shouldmy mistress weep, who, an hour agone, had been so merry? Difficult arethe ways of women, a language hard to be understood, wherefore "love," asthe Roman says, "is full of anxious fears."

  Much misdoubting how I fared in Elliot's heart, and devising withinmyself what this new sorrow of Elliot's might signify, I half forgot myown danger, yet not so much as to fare forth o
f the doors, or even intothe booth, where customers might come, and I be known. Therefore Ipassed into a room behind the booth, where my master was wont to instructme in my painting; and there, since better might not be, I set aboutgrinding and mixing such colours as I knew that he required.

  I had not been long about this task, when I heard him enter the boothfrom without, whence he walked straight into my workroom. I looked upfrom my colours, whereat his face, which was ruddy, grew wan, hestaggered back, and, being lame, reeled against the wall. There hebrought up, crossing himself, and making the sign of the cross at me.

  "Avaunt!" he said, "in the name of this holy sign, whether thou art awandering spirit, or a devil in a dead man's semblance."

  "Master," I said, "I am neither spirit nor devil. Was it ever yet heardthat brownie or bogle mixed colours for a painter? Nay, touch me, andsee whether I am not of sinful Scots flesh and blood"; and thereon Ilaughed aloud, knowing what caused his fear, and merry at the sight ofit, for he had ever held tales of "diablerie," and of wraiths and freitsand fetches, in high scorn.

  He sat him down on a chair and gaped upon me, while I could not containmyself from laughing.

  "For God's sake," said he, "bring me a cup of red wine, for my wits arewandering. Deil's buckie," he said in the Scots, "will water not drownyou? Faith, then, it is to hemp that you were born, as shall shortly beseen."

  I drew him some wine from a cask that stood in the corner, on draught. Hedrank it at one venture, and held out the cup for more, the colour comingback into his face.

  "Did the archers tell me false, then, when they said that you had firedup at a chance word, and flung yourself and the sentinel into the moat?And where have you been wasting your time, and why went you from thebridge ere I came back, if the archers took another prentice lad forNorman Leslie?"

  "They told you truth," I said.

  "Then, in the name of Antichrist--that I should say so!--how scaped youdrowning, and how came you here?"

  I told him the story, as briefly as might be.

  "Ill luck go with yon second-sighted wench that has bewitched Elliot, andyou too, for all that I can see. Never did I think to be frayed with abogle, {14} and, as might have been deemed, the bogle but a prenticeloon, when all was done. To my thinking all this fairy work is no moretrue than that you are a dead man's wraith. But they are all wild aboutit, at the castle, where I was kept long, doing no trade, and listeningto their mad clatter."

  He took out of his pouch a parcel heedfully wrapped in soft folds ofsilk.

  "Here is this Book of Hours," he said, "that I have spent my eyesight,and gold, purple, and carmine, and cobalt upon, these three years past; ajewel it is, though I say so. And I had good hope to sell it to HughKennedy, for he has of late had luck in taking two English knightsprisoners at Orleans--the only profitable trade that men now candrive,--and the good knight dearly loves a painted book of devotion;especially if, like this of mine, it be adorned with the loves ofJupiter, and the Swan, and Danae, and other heathen pliskies. We werechaffering over the price, and getting near a bargain, when in comesPatrick Ogilvie with a tale of this second-sighted Maid, and how she hadbeen called to see the King, and of what befell. First, it seems, sheboded the death of that luckless limb of a sentinel, and then you took itupon you to fulfil her saying, and so you and he were drowned, and I leftprenticeless. Little comfort to me it was to hear Kennedy and Ogilviepraise you for a good Scot and true, and say that it was great pity ofyour death."

  At this hearing my heart leaped for joy, first, at my own praise fromsuch good knights, and next, because I saw a blink of hope, havingfriends at Court. My master went on--

  "Next, Ogilvie told how he had been in hall, with the Dauphin, theChancellor Tremouille, and some scores of knights and nobles, a greatthrong. They were all waiting on this Lorrainer wench, for the Dauphinhad been told, at last, that she brought a letter from Baudricourt, butbefore he would not see her. This letter had been kept from him, I guessby whom, and there was other clash of marvels wrought by her, I know notwhat. So their wisdom was set on putting her to a kind of trial, foolishenough! A young knight was dressed in jewels and a coronet of theKing's, and the King was clad right soberly, and held himself far back inthe throng, while the other stood in front, looking big. So the wenchcomes in, and, walking straight through the press of knights, with herhead high, kneels to the King, where he stood retired, and calls him'gentle Dauphin'!

  "'Nay, ma mie,' says he, ''tis not I who am the Dauphin, but his Highnessyonder,'--pointing to the young knight, who showed all his plumage like amuircock in spring.

  "Nay, gentle Dauphin," she answers, so Ogilvie said, "it is to thee thatI am sent, and no other, and I am come to save the good town of Orleans,and to lead thee to thy sacring at Rheims."

  "Here they were all struck amazed, and the King not least, who then hadsome words apart with the girl. And he has given her rooms in the TourCoudraye within the castle; and the clergy and the doctors are to examineher straitly, whether she be from a good airt, {15} or an ill, and allbecause she knew the King, she who had never seen him before. Why shouldshe never have seen him--who warrants me of it?--she dwelling these lastdays nigh the castle! Freits are folly, to my thinking, and fools theythat follow them. Lad, you gave me a gliff; pass me another stoup ofwine! Freits, forsooth!"

  I served him, and he sat and chuckled in his chair, being pleasured bythe thought of his own wisdom. "Not a word of this to Elliot, though,"he said suddenly; "when there is a woman in a house--blessings on her!--itis anything for a quiet life! But, 'nom Dieu!' what with the fright yougave me, sitting there, whereas I deemed you were meat for eels and carp,and what with thy tale--ha, ha!--and my tale, and the wine, maybe, Iforgot your own peril, my lad. Faith, your neck is like to be longer, ifwe be not better advised."

  Hearing him talk of that marvellous thing, wrought through inspiration bythe Maid--whereat, as his manner was, he mocked, I had clean forgotten myown jeopardy. Now this was instant, for who knew how much the archermight have guessed, that followed with the Maid and me, and men-at-armsmight anon be at our door.

  "It may be," said I, "that Sir Patrick Ogilvie and Sir Hugh Kennedy wouldsay a word for me in the King's ear."

  "Faith, that is our one chance, and, luckily for you, the lad youdrowned, though in the King's service, came hither in the following of apoor knight, who might take blood-ransom for his man. Had he been LaTremouille's man, you must assuredly have fled the country."

  He took up his Book of Hours, with a sigh, and wrapped it again in itssilken parcel.

  "This must be your price with Kennedy," he said, "if better may not be.It is like parting with the apple of my eye, but, I know not well how, Ilove you, my lad, and blood is thicker than water. Give me my staff; Imust hirple up that weary hill again, and you, come hither."

  He led me to his own chamber, where I had never been before, and showedme how, in the chimney-neuk, was a way into a certain black hole oflittle ease, wherein, if any came in search for me, I might lie hidden.And, fetching me a cold fish (Lenten cheer), a loaf, and a stoup of wine,whereof I was glad enough, he left me, groaning the while at hisill-fortune, but laden with such thanks as I might give for all his greatkindness.

  There then, I sat, when I had eaten, my ears pricked to listen for thetramp of armed men below and the thunder of their summons at the door.But they came not, and presently my thought stole back to Elliot, who,indeed, was never out of my mind then--nay, nor now is. But whether thatmemory be sinful in a man of religion or not, I leave to the saints andto good confession. Much I perplexed myself with marvelling why she didso weep; above all, since I knew what hopeful tidings she had gotten ofher friend and her enterprise. But no light came to me in mymeditations. I did not know then that whereas young men, and many lassestoo, are like the Roman lad who went with his bosom bare, crying "Auraveni," and sighing for the breeze of Love to come, other maidens arewroth with Love when he creeps into their hearts, and would fain cast h
imout--being in a manner mad with anger against Love, and against him whomthey desire, and against themselves. This mood, as was later seen, wasElliot's, for her heart was like a wild bird trapped, that turns withbill and claw on him who comes to set it free. Moreover, I have sincedeemed that her passion of faith in the Maid made war on her love for me;one breast being scantly great enough to contain these two affections,and her pride taking, against the natural love, the part of the lovewhich was divine.

  But all these were later thoughts, that came to me in musing on thesorrows of my days; and, like most wisdom, this knowledge arrived toolate, and I, as then, was holden in perplexity.