fully in helping me. I will commend you to him, and am sure he will reward you well."
"Monsieur, I seek no reward; I served you not for money."
She shamed me, though I persisted.
"Not a reward, Florine, but surely you can let him send you back to your mother. Here is money; his money, not mine; he is rich, I am poor. He can pay you for valuable service, I can only give you my undying gratitude."
I bent down and kissed her pale forehead, whereat she wept afresh.
"Claude's wife will keep you here safe until we come again. Then we will find means to protect and provide for you."
I bade her rise now and calm herself, for a bustle in the street announced the noisy arrival of several horsemen. A few moments, and Jerome's voice called me from below to make all ready.
I called Claude's wife up and delivered the girl to her keeping, then turned to look out into the street. There were now drawn up in front of the door four sturdy equerries, well mounted, and leading two excellent nags, which I took to be those Jerome had provided for our own use.
Jerome obliged me once more to dress with exceeding care, but I fretted much for my own easy garments which permitted a man to use his limbs with the freedom God had given them. Verily there would be no regret when all this frippery could be cast aside, and by my
