She answered him:
"With all my heart."
Instantly he turned and left her and strode towards the throne.
"King, I crave your patience, but your sentence must tarry and turn, for I claim to marry this lady."
Louis smiled derisively.
"It is too late. Sing your neck-rhyme and have done, for your noose is too large for a wedding ring."
Villon gave him back smile for smile.
"Sire," he said, "I am a Master of Arts of the University of Paris and as such have the right in extremis to any sacrament of the church. I have lived a confirmed bachelor, but now I have a mind to change my state. Find me a priest, King Louis."
Olivier stooped to the king.
"He speaks the truth, sire. He can claim this right"