Now, enter and
fear not for your goods. My folk are honest. God's name! how fearful is
this heat. None have known its like. Steward, give me your arm."
An hour later and Hugh, clad in fresh garments of sweet linen, bathed
and shaved, sat at table in a great, cool room with Sir Geoffrey and his
lady, a middle-aged and anxious-faced woman, while Grey Dick ate at a
lower board with certain of the Envoy's household.
"I have read the letters which concern the business of his Grace the
King," said Sir Geoffrey, who was toying languidly with some Southern
fruits, for he would touch no meat. "They have to do with moneys that
his Grace owes to great bankers of this city but does not yet find it
convenient to discharge. I have seen their like before, and to-morrow
must deal with them as best I may--no pleasant business, for these
usurers grow urgent," and he sighed. "But," he added, "the King says
that you, Sir Hugh de Cressi, whom he names his 'brave, trusty and most
well beloved knight and companion in war,'" and he bowed courteously to
Hugh, "have another business which he commands me to forward by every
means in my power, and that without fail. What is this business, Sir
Hugh?"
"It is set out, Sir Geoffrey, in a letter from his Grace to the Doge of
Venice, which I am to ask you to deliver. Here it is. Be pleased to read
it, it is open."
The Envoy took the letter and read it, lifting his eyebrows as he did
so.
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