"These are my friends returning," he said. "They mustn't see you.
Come this way." As he spoke he caught her hand and drew her across
the room to the stairs that led to the upper gallery. On the gallery
he bade her wait.
"Here you can see without being seen. When he comes, show him to me.
Then you can reach the street by this passage."
Even as he spoke the main door was dashed open and the wild rout
foamed into the room, bubbling with exhilaration, Huguette leaping
like a bubble on the eddies of their enthusiasm. Louis and Tristan
took advantage of the confusion to emerge from their hiding places
and resume their seats at their table,
"That was rare sport while it lasted," Colin shouted.
"It didn't last long enough," Jehan yelled.
"Things took a different turn when you came, Abbess," Montigny said,
patting the girl on the back approvingly. Huguette shook her long
hair out of her eyes and laughed as she turned down her rolled-up
sleeves.
"I did as Fran?ois bade me and basted both the jades. Wine,
landlord, wine! My arms ache."
Robin Turgis was prompt; flagons and pipkins rattled as the men and
women gathered round their table and Ren?wed their drinking and
dicing with fresh zest from the scuffle they had just witnessed.
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