"Set you free, my delicate bird of prey. Those wild wings were never meant for clipping and caging. Is there anything I can do to please you?" On the instant her enticement shifted; all her being was a tremulous entreaty. "What has come to Master François Villon?" "Why do you ask?" "He was with us when we were snared last night. But he did not share our prison and he is not with us now. Does he live?" Villon hesitated for a moment before speaking. "He lives. He is banished from Paris, but he lives." Huguette clasped her hands in gratitude. "The sweet saints be thanked!" she said; and there was that in her voice which made the simple words sound very sincere to Villon's ears. "What do you care for the fate of this fellow?" "As I am a fool, I believe I love him." "Heaven's mercy! Why?" "I cannot tell you, Messire. A look in his eyes, a trick of his voice--the something--the nothing that makes a woman's heart run like wax in the fire. He never made woman happy yet, and I'll swear no woman ever made him happy. If you gave him the moon, he would want the stars for a garnish. He believes nothing; he laughs at everything; he is a false monkey--and yet, I wish I had borne such a child." There was a sudden pain at Villon's heart, as if the girl's fingers had seized it and squeezed it, but he replied lightly: "Let us speak no more of this rascal. He believes more and laughs less than he did. He is so glad to be alive that his forehead scrapes the sky and the stars fall at his feet in gold dust. Paris is well rid of such a jackanapes." "You are a merry gentleman." "I would be more gentle than merry with you. Will you wear this ring for my sake? Fancy that it comes from Master François Villon, who will always think kindly of your wild eyes." "Let me see your face," she requested, but Villon denied her. He signed to Noel le Jolys, where he stood apart, and the young soldier came hurriedly to him. "Captain," he said, "give this lady honourable conduct." He moved away and left the pair together--the mannish woman and the womanish man, looking at each other, the man in admiration and the woman in veiled disdain. "You are a comely girl," Noel affirmed roundly. Huguette laughed. "This is news from no-man's land." Noel spoke lower. "Where do you lodge?" Huguette was a woman of business in an instant. She flashed in Noel's face the ring the Grand Constable had given her as she answered: "At the sign of the Golden Scull, hard by the Fircone. Will you visit me?" Noel clapped his hands together. "As I am a man, I will." A good understanding being thus established, the pair drifted away together and were soon lost to sight. Villon looking after them mused: