Yet he says that you and I, Eve, need fear nothing. May it be so,
Hugh.--E."
Now when he had thought awhile and hidden up Eve's letter, Hugh turned
to his father and asked him what were these sermons that Sir Andrew
preached.
"I heard but one of them, son," answered Master de Cressi, "though there
have been three. By the Holy Mother! it frightened me so much that I
needed no more of that medicine. Nor, to tell truth, when I got home
again could I remember all he said, save that it was of some frightful
ill which comes upon the world from the East and will leave it
desolate."
"And what think folk of such talk, father?"
"Indeed, son, they know not what to think. Most say that he is mad;
others say that he is inspired of God. Yet others declare that he is a
wizard and that his familiar brings him tidings from Cathay, where once
he dwelt, or perchance, from hell itself. These went to the bishop, who
summoned Sir Andrew and was closeted with him for three hours. Afterward
he called in the complainers and bade them cease their scandal of
wizardry, since he was sure that what the holy Father said came from
above and not from below. He added that they would do well to mend their
lives and prepare to render their account, as for his part he should
also, since the air was thick with doom. Then he gave his benediction to
the old knight and turned away weeping, and since that hour none talk
of wizardry but all of judgment.
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