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.Her eyes are grey, just like those of the girlbeside her the girl who looks up, and looks away, and makes35such a beautiful shape with her mouth; the girl who is as fairas a lily among thorns.Her skin is white, like the heavenlyrobes of the martyrs, but her hair is raven black through a netof woven silk.Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all hisbenefits. Why, it s Pagan! the old woman cries. It s little Pagan!I d recognise that voice anywhere. Madame. The Archdeacon bows. It s good to see you. Come here sit down look, Guilhelme, it s FatherPagan!Guilhelme nods.The girl beside her glowers.What apity that such a beautiful face should be marred by such asulky expression. You re just like a bird, the old woman cackles. He s just like a bird, isn t he, Guilhelme? Flitting in and out,surprising everyone. If I m a bird, Dame Cavears, then I m a golden oriole toyour fruit trees, the Archdeacon smiles. Oh, will you listen to him? Off he goes, the little devil!Sit down, Father, I ve been pining for a good joke.Guilhelmehere doesn t know any.Have you met Guilhelme deTonneins? Oh, of course you have.And this is her daughter,Aude.Guilhelme de Tonneins! Isn t she the arch-heretic?The Evil Priestess? Lord God protect us! The Archdeaconsmiles and nods, calmly, as if this nest of serpents is a fieldof flowers.Suddenly the old woman grabs him and pointsat me. Who s that? she demands. That s my scribe, he says. Isidore, this is the Dame de36Fanjeaux. What s wrong with his head? Is he bleeding? No, Sister, that s just his hair. The Evil Priestess soundsamused.(How could I ever have thought her humble?) Hehas red hair. Red hair? Show me.Come here, Isidore.Come on!Over here. Her hands are so old and fat and unsteady shehas hairs on her face like a man, and little black eyes like arat s. Come closer, or I can t see you.No, down here! By theVirgin s milk, Father, there s no end to him. Yes, he is rather tall.In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; deliver me in thyrighteousness.Her fumbling hands reach for my head; theydrag it down and down until I m almost in her lap untilI can feel her breath on my tonsure. I can t believe this is happening. What a beautiful colour, Guilhelme, she croaks. It slike autumn leaves, don t you think? What a pity you re nota girl, young man you d break hearts, with that hair. Shelaughs a wheezy laugh. But I don t suppose I need to tell youthat, eh? You must have broken a score of hearts already. Look, Mama. It s Aude s voice: I can t see her face, but Iknow it s her voice, young and high and spiteful. Look, he sblushing.He s as red as his hair. Don t you tease him, young lady, the old womanretorts. You ve no cause to feel superior.It s disgraceful, ayoung girl like you, living like a nun.And such a pretty girl,too.Don t you think she s pretty, Isidore?What are you saying? Leave me alone! When I pullback she laughs and laughs, rocking from side to side,showing her slimy, toothless gums.And the Archdeacon37 the Archdeacon is grinning too, they re all grinning, everyone of them except Aude.Aude is scowling. What he thinks is of no interest to me, she says, andthe old woman waves a hand at her. Go and tell Pons that we want some food, my dear.I m sure these poor lads must be hungry.Off you go, now.She watches Aude rise and stalk off. That girl should bemarried, she declares, in a loud voice. If she doesn t marrysoon, she ll curdle.The Evil Priestess shakes her head. You know that sout of the question, Sister, she sighs, and the old womanturns to the Archdeacon. Our Good Men don t believe in marriage, she explains,taking his arm. They say it s a sin. Yes, I know. Well, it might be a sin for some, but not for a girl likeAude. The old woman wags a finger at her heretical friend. What that girl needs is a man.A man and a baby. But she doesn t want a baby. The Evil Priestess soundstired. She believes very strongly in the teachings of the faith
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