At Agincourt

ugh some narrow lanes, they presently emerged into a street of higher pretensions, and stopped at the door of a smal

I pray you," he said;

ich was lighted by a hanging lamp. He then went to a buffet, brought out a flask of wine and two goblets, and said: "Will it please you to be seated and to help

k, and seated himself, "that the doctor has a good idea of maki

will be safe to touc

it may b

was in earnest when he told me that story that I repeated to you this evening. It is possible that he may not be able to give us as much informat

e entertained. From time to time steps could be heard in the apartment above, and it was evident that it was

anding on the other side of the street and one at the door." He heard the door opened, then the boy's step was heard on the stairs, two or three minutes later there was a move

is no hurrying ladies. When a man comes in, I have already ascertained what he desires to know; he listens to my answer and takes his dep

d the city. Knowing nothing of the ways of Paris, but having heard that the streets were very unsafe after dark, I thought it best to bring him with me; and I

one with you, for indeed it is not safe for one man to go abroad alone after dark. And now, will you accompany

it is the best wine I have tasted, so far as my judgment goes, si

grower, a Burgundian noble, who had, as he believe

nisphere and astrolabe stood in the centre of the room, and a charcoal fire burned in a brazier beside them. A pair of huge bats with outstretched wings hung by wires from the ceiling, their white teeth glistening in the light of four lamps on stands, some six feet high, one in each corner of the room. The floor was covered with

y own satisfaction, as far as may be, the future of those with whom I have to deal. If I perceive that misfortunes and perhaps death threaten them, it is clearly of no use my entering into relations with them. I

ay that the castle bell had sounded but a few minutes before I was born. She said that she had been anxious about it, because an old woman had predicted that if she ev

n, having made a note in his

s yourself; and that she on her part promises that she will befriend and protect your daughter should you at any time bring her to her castle in

since from Melun to Corbeil, and Louis of Bavaria came on here yesterday to the Duke of Aquitaine with a message to Burgundy and to the butchers, asking that they would allow him to attend the queen to Paris, and that she might reside in his house of Nasle. Burgundy was minded to grant her leave, but at a meeting of the chiefs of the guild of butchers this afternoon they resolved to refuse the request; and this e

d the king, but this usurpation of the butchers, who have behind them the scum of Paris, is regarded as a danger to the whole city, and the feeling may grow into so hot a rage that there may be serious rioting in the streets. I tell you this that you may be prepared. Assuredly the butchers are not likely to interfere with any save such of the townspeople as they may deem hostile to them, and no harm would intentionally

ese men. However, I am sure to gain information long before matters come to any serious point, except a sudden outbreak arise from a street broil. I may tell you that one result of the violence of the butchers to-day may be to cause some breach between them and the Burgundian nobles, who are, I am told, greatly incensed at their refusing to give permission to the Duke of Berri to come here after Burgundy had acceded to his request, and that these fellows should venture to damage the hotel of one of the royal d

d revolt against this association with butchers and skinners; 'tis past

butchers are ever at the bottom of all tumults. Now I will introduce my daughter to you; it is well that you should know h

ithout raising his voice, and at once a g

Master Aylmer; you h

ght. Her complexion was fairer than that of her father, and she already gave promise of considera

a, but in sooth I know not where or how, since i

half an hour si

uzzled expression on his face.

arries a message to persons of quality. She looks a saucy page in the daytime when she goes on the business, but after nightfall she is dressed as you saw her this evening. As a girl she could not traverse the streets unatt

ll imagine that you can pass where you will without anyone suspecting yo

in it than dressed as I now am, and it is much more amusing to be able to go a

u what news I have gathered, it needs not that I should detain you longer; the hour is get

e in England, of which my father is castell

ere be anything new you shall hear from me, but there will be no occasion for you to come hither again unless there is something of importance on whi

LONG TOM COME TO THE RE

er. The latter sprung to his feet as he entered with a somewhat dazed e

t on, as they issued into the street, "for I am sure we should never find our way through those alleys. Let us keep along here unt

ey had scarcely entered it when they heard ahead of them the sound o

be that some gentleman is attacked

ave him a slight advantage over his adversaries. These were nearly a dozen in number, and were evidently, as Guy had supposed, street ruffians of the lowest class. Without hesitation Guy and the archer fell upon them, with a shout of encouragement to the defender of the doorway, who was evidently

ement. Guy himself received a sharp wound in the shoulder, but cut down another of his assailants; and the defender of the door, leaving his post of vantage, now joined them, and in a couple of minutes but four of the assailants remained on their feet, an

ruffians at bay. I have to thank you for my life, which, assuredly, they would have taken, especially as I had dispo

er, an English knight, and am here as the esquire of Dame M

xecution than both our sword-blades?" the young count asked;

captain of a band of archers in her service, bu

od fellow, I have to thank you much, as well

for doing so," the archer said; "and one needs no better chance than when one sees a gentleman a

but badly out of the encounter in words with her. But we had best be moving on or we may have the watch on us, and we should be called upon to account for these ten fellows lying here. I doubt not but half of them are only stunned and will soon make off, the other six will have t

se of Ma?tre Leroux, prov

eet to the left. I shall do myself the honour of calling in the morning to thank you more fully for the service you have rend

parted, and Guy followed t

m said contentedly; "the odds were just enough t

my shoulder; but I can do with it until I get

that, for you can keep well out of the reach of their swords. In faith I have not had so pleasant

aret will scold us for

t you may be sure that you will have to carry your arm in a sling for

ave lost for such a gain. There is a light in Dame Margaret's casement; she said that she should sit up till my return, and would herself let me in, for the household would be asleep two hours ago; and as Ma?tre Leroux

ross the casement, then the light disappeared, and in a

said; "I have been expe

to you?" she broke of

an was engaged, and it was half-an-hour before I could see him. Moreover, we had been kept at the trysting-place, as the guide did not recognize me owing to Tom being wit

e Margaret said severely when they entered the room. "I told you to keep yourself free from fray

uld be the first to bid me draw and strike in. The matter did not last three minutes. Tom disposed of six of them with his quarter-staff, the gentleman had killed two before we arrived, and I managed to dispose of two o

e perhaps too hastily. And

all that ha

n like?" she asked w

is my height or thereabouts, grave in face and of good presence. I have no doubt that he is to be trusted, and he has evidently resolved

e man," Dame Margare

but adopts the costume in which I first saw him and the role of a quack vendor of nostrums in order t

le attire. Spare not money, for my purse is very full. Get yourself a suit in which you can accompany me fitly if I again see the duke, or, as is possible, have an interview with the queen. Get two others, the one a quiet one, and not likely to attract notice, for your ordinary wear; the other a mor

room, the latter exclaimed, "Why ha

a number of ruffians fighting a young gentleman, so they joi

at the bad m

d with him, as it was after dark

g Tom playing with the quarter-staff, and he could beat anyone in the castle. I warrant

ie, before you will be old enough to go

mother, and I am sure I was not afraid e

ing to be standing on the top of a keep and another t

yone, Guy?" the

replied, "but I cannot say for

, these bad men who atta

ce I would have all th

the watch come upon them when they are doing suc

den case with the clothes that he had bought. He had been fortunate in getting two suits which fitted him perfectly. They had been made for a young knight who had been despatched by the duke to Flanders just after he had been measured for them, and the tailor said that he was glad to sell them, as for aught he knew it might be weeks or even mon

toe. The court suit was similar in make, but more handsome-the doublet, which was of crimson, being embroidered with gold; the closely-fitting trousers were striped with light blue and black; the cap with the suit in which he was now dressed was yellow, that

hands as he entere

aid with a smile; "truly you look as well fitted as if th

how he had

on, when I mean to take a walk to see the city, I sha

s, mother?" Charl

aster Leroux while you have been away, and he tells me that a post goes once a week to Lille, and that he will send a letter for me to Sir Eustace under cover to a worthy trader of that town, who will forward it t