"If it is for this little maid who waited not to be bidden to bring me drink when I was weary and thirsty, I will sell," he said. "Nay, not sell; but if ye are so minded to give alms for a convent that is being builded by the Sisters of Saint Claire, then may you have it. I know in very truth that it will prove efficacious against the Falling Sickness." Again the priest smiled at Jeanne. There was naught about the pale purity of her face that denoted ill health, and therefore the good priest might speak with authority. Jacques drew the girl to him, and taking the ring from the Franciscan fitted it to the third finger of her left hand. "Do you like it, my little one?" he asked. Jeanne's eyes glistened. Like most girls she was fond of pretty things, and she had never had a ring. To her it was very precious. "Are you in truth going to get it for me, father?" she cried. "Yes." Jacques nodded, pleased that she liked the trifle. "Isabeau, give the father the alms he wishes so that we may have the ring for the little one. It is given to you by both your mother and myself, my child," he continued as Isabeau brought forth the alms for the friar. "Wear it as such, and may it protect you not only from the Falling Sickness but from other ills also." At this Jeanne threw her arms about his neck, and kissed him, then running to her mother kissed her also. "It is so pretty," she cried. "And see! it hath the two most holy names upon it." Her glance rested lovingly upon the engraved characters. "Let us see it, Jeanne," spoke Pierre. "Sometime," he whispered as she came to him to show it, "sometime I am going to give you a ring all by myself that shall be prettier than this." Jeanne laughed. "Just as though any ring could be prettier than this, Pierrelot," she said. "There couldn't be one; could there, Jean?" "Nenni." Jean shook his head emphatically as he examined the ring critically. "I like it better than the one Mengette wears." "The Blessed Colette hath a ring which the Beloved Apostle gave to her in token of her marriage to the King of kings," now spoke the Cordelier. "Many are there who come to Corbie to touch it, that they may be healed of their infirmities." Thus the talk went on; sometimes of the Saints and their miracles, then verging to the war, and the state of the kingdom. It was late when at length the family retired. Jeanne was delighted with the gift. As a usual thing peasants did not bestow presents upon their families. Life was too severe in the valley, and necessities too hard to come by in the ferment of the war to admit of it. When next her Saints appeared, and Saint Catherine graciously touched the ring, Jeanne's joy knew no bounds. Thereafter she was wont to contemplate it adoringly. But, while the ring might be sovereign against epilepsy, it did not rouse her into her oldtime joyousness.