The Chamber of Sweet Vows dissolves amidst wild commotion. The larger number of the knights, from the Bailiff of the Joy of Joys to the Seneschal of Sweet-Marjoram, hasten home to prepare for their departure on the Crusade against Languedoc, where they are to exterminate the heretics of the south of France.
CHAPTER VI.
ON TO LANGUEDOC!
Happily thrown into the shade by the arrival of the eleven Crusaders from the Holy Land, Mylio and his companion profit by the address of Abbot Reynier to reach a stone stair that leads down to one of the canals, and to conceal themselves under the arch of the bridge. From their place of concealment the two hear the words of the Abbot of Citeaux and the acclamations of his audience. As much surprised as alarmed at the projected war, seeing that his brother Karvel le Brenn is one of the pastors, or Perfects, of the heretics of Languedoc, the trouvere hastens to leave the garden without being seen, and skirting the banks of the canal he finally arrives at a secluded spot near the ramparts of Blois.
Goose-Skin (who has followed his friend, and who observed profound silence during his hasty march, finally stops out of breath)—"Because you have the legs of a stag you feel not the least consideration for an honest man who is hampered in his walk by a big paunch that heaven has afflicted him with. Oh! Mylio, what a day this has been! It has made me boil over with rage! If water were not a sort of mortal poison to me, I would have rested on the edge of the garden. It is now night. What say you, shall we drop in at the tavern of my friend Gueulette and gather our spirits? Hey? Mylio? Do you not hear me? (strikes him on the shoulder) Helloa, my bold and brave trouvere! Are you dreaming with open eyes?"
Mylio (awakes from his revery and reaches out his hand to the juggler)—"Adieu, I bid you good-bye!"
Goose-Skin—"How! 'Good-bye!' You are going away? You leave a friend—what ingratitude!"
Mylio (rummages in his purse)—"I shall share my purse with you. I have not forgotten the service that you have just rendered me."
Goose-Skin (pockets the money that the trouvere gives him)—"What! And with that you rid yourself of your old companion? And I promised myself so much pleasure running the country with you!"
Mylio—"It is impossible! I shall depart instantly, and take Florette along on the crupper of my horse."