"Verily, messire," nodded Beltane, "and 'tis not meet that knight cross blade with lowly smith.

"Ahnot while life remain, messire Beltane!" said the young knight quick-breathing, and speaking, took Beltane within two mailed arms that clasped and clung full close.

"Now, messire," quoth the Pardoner, opening his wallet, "now in the matter of sinning, messire, an thou hast some pet and peculiar vice some little, pretty vanity, some secret, sweet transgression" "Nay, first," quoth Beltane, "'tis sure thou hast a tongue" "O infallibly, messire; a sweet tonguea tongue attuned to cunning phrases.

"Very oft, messire.