It was done at last, and the poor
dead, but a few days before so full of vigour and of passion, were left
to their last sleep in the unremembered grave. Then the mourners marched
back to the manor across the Middle Marsh and sought their beds in a sad
silence.
Shortly after daybreak they were called from them again by the news that
those who had followed Hugh de Cressi had returned. Quickly they rose,
thinking that these came back with tidings of accomplished vengeance, to
find themselves face to face with seven starved and miserable men who,
all their horses being dead, had walked hither from Dunwich.
The wretched story was learned at length, and then followed that violent
scene, which has been told already, when Acour cursed his followers as
cowards, and Clavering, sobered perhaps by the sadness of the midnight
burial or by the memory of Arnold's words, reproved him. Lastly, stung
by the taunts that were heaped upon them, Sir Pierre de la Roche gave
Hugh's message--that if they lifted hand against his love or his House
he would kill them like ravening wolves, "which I think he certainly
will do, for none can conquer him and his henchman," he added shortly.
Then Sir John's rage flared up again like fire when fresh fuel is thrown
on ashes. He cursed Hugh and Grey Dick; he cursed his daughter; he even
cursed Acour and asked for the second time how it came about that he who
had brought all this trouble on him was given the evil name of traitor.
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