Men in Dunwich who have quarrelled from
boyhood, forgive each other and sing psalms instead of swearing oaths,
and I have been paid debts that have been owing to me for years, all
because of these sermons."
"An awesome tale, truly," said Hugh. "Yet like this bishop I believe
that what Sir Andrew says will come to pass, for I know well that he is
not as other men are."
That night, by special leave, Hugh waited on the King, and with him Grey
Dick, who was ever his shadow.
"What is it now, Sir Hugh de Cressi?" asked Edward.
"Sire, after the great battle, nigh upon a year ago, you told me that
I must serve you till Calais fell. I have served as best I could
and Calais has fallen. Now I ask your leave to go seek my enemy--and
yours--Sir Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon."
"Then you must go far, Sir Hugh, for I have tidings that this rogue who
was not ashamed to wear another man's armour, and so save himself
from your sword, is away to Italy this six months gone, where, as the
Seigneur de Cattrina, he has estates near Venice. But tell me how things
stand. Doubtless that Red Eve of yours--strangely enough I thought
of her at Crecy when the sky grew so wondrous at nightfall--is at the
bottom of them."
"That is so, Sire," and he told him all the tale.
"A strange case truly, Sir Hugh," said the King when he had heard it
out. "I'll write to Clement for you both, but I doubt me whether you
and your Eve will get justice from him, being English.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193