"By Saint Venus, I envy this fellow that he should have won your thoughts. For I am in his case and I, too, would die to serve you!"
Surprise flamed in the girl's eyes, surprise and amusement mingled.
"My lord, you do not know me," she laughed, and her laughter was as fresh and merry as a milkmaid's in the meadows.
"Did he know you? Yet when he saw you he loved you and made bold to tell you so."
Her forehead wrinkled prettily in a little protesting frown.
"His words were of no more account than the wind in the eaves. But you and I are peers and the words we change have meanings."
Villon caught his breath. The Lord of Montcorbier was, indeed, wardered by very different stars from the fellow of the Fircone. He saluted her banteringly.
"Though I be newly come to Paris I have heard much of the beauty and more of the pride of the Lady Katherine de Vaucelles."
A little fire burned in the girl's pale cheeks, and she flung her head back scornfully.
"I am humble enough as to my beauty, but I am very proud of my pride."