And I gave to Elliot the ring which the Maid had sent to her, fashioned like that she herself wore, but of silver gilt, whereas the Maid's was of base metal, and it bore the Holy Names MARI.IHS.

Thereon Elliot kissed it humbly, and avowed herself to be, that night, the gladdest damsel in all France.
"For I have gotten you, mon ami, and my little friend that I had lost, beyond all hope, and I have a kind word and a token from Her, la fille de Dieu," whereat her speech faltered, and her eyes swam in tears.

But some trick of her jackanapes brought back her mirth, and so the hours passed, as happy as any in my life.

Truly the memory of these things tells me how glad this world might be, wherein God has placed us, were it not troubled by the inordinate desires of men.

In my master's house of Tours, then, my days of holiday went merrily by, save for one matter, and that of the utmost moment.