[A Monk of Fife by Andrew Lang]@TWC D-Link book
A Monk of Fife

CHAPTER XXXI--HOW NORMAN LESLIE SAW THE MAID IN HER PRISON
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Nay more, I tell thee as I have told my judges, that which the Saints have spoken to me.

'Bear this thy martyrdom gently,' they say, 'tu t'en viendras en royaume du Paradis.' Moreover, this I know, that I am to be delivered with great victory!" Here she clasped her hands, looking upwards, and her face was as the face of an angel.
"Fair victory it were to leave thee in my place, and so make liars of my brethren of Paradise." Then, alas! I knew that I was of no more avail to move her; yet one last art I tried.
"Madame," I said, "I have prayed you in the name of the fortune of France, and the honour of the King, which is tarnished for ever if you escape not." "I shall be delivered," she answered.
"I pray you in the dear name of your lady mother, Madame du Lys." "I shall be delivered," she said, "and with great victory!" "Now I pray thee in my own name, and in that of thy first friend, my lady.

She has made a vow to give her virginity to Heaven unless either thou art set free, or she have tidings from thee that thou willest her to wed me, without whom I have no desire to live, but far rather this very night to perish.

For I am clean confessed, within these six hours, knowing that I was like to be in some jeopardy." "Then," she said, smiling sweetly, and signing that I should take her hand--"Then live, Norman Leslie, for this is to me an easy thing and a joyous.

Thou art a clerk, hast thou wherewithal to write ?" "Yes, Madame, here in my wallet." "Then write as I tell thee:-- "JHESU MARIA" "'I, Jehanne la Pucelle, send from prison here in Rouen my tidings of love to Elliot Hume, my first friend among women, and bid her, for my sake, wed him who loves her, Norman Leslie of Pitcullo, my faithful servant, praying that all happiness may go with them.


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