Now I shall
never forget you again, for though a man may shift his armour he cannot
change his countenance"--a saying at which de Noyon coloured a little
and looked down uneasily.
"Cavalier de Cressi, he whom you seek is before you; we ourselves vouch
for his identity," said the Doge. "Now be pleased to set out your case."
"My private case I thrust to one side," answered Hugh, Sir Geoffrey
interpreting all the time, "for it is a matter between this Count, a
certain lady and myself, and can wait. That which I have to lay before
you, Illustrious, has to do with my master the King of England, as whose
champion I am here to-day. I accuse this lord of the three names of
black treachery to his august liege, Edward, all details of which
treason I am prepared to furnish, and on behalf of that most puissant
monarch I challenge him to single combat, as I am empowered and
commissioned to do."
"Why should I fight the King of England's bravoes?" inquired Acour in
a languid voice of those who stood about him, a question at which they
laughed.
"If the charge of treason is not sufficient," went on Hugh, "I'll add to
it one of cowardice. At the battle of Crecy, as a man here will bear me
witness," and he pointed to Dick, "I overcame in single combat a knight
who wore upon his shield the cognizance of a wolf and on his helm a
wolf's head, which were the arms of Sir Pierre de la Roche.
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