At this name a sudden silence fell.  The Prior of Emmet and those that belonged to him gathered together like a flock of frightened sheep when the scent of the wolf is nigh, while the Bishop of Hereford, laying aside his book, crossed himself devoutly.  “Now Heaven keep us this day,” said he, “from that evil man!”

“Nay,” quoth Robin, “I mean you no harm; but here is fair Ellen’s betrothed husband, and she shall marry him or pain will be bred to some of you.”

Then up spake stout Edward in a loud and angry voice, “Now I say nay!  I am her father, and she shall marry Sir Stephen and none other.”

Now all this time, while everything was in turmoil about him, Sir Stephen had been standing in proud and scornful silence.  “Nay, fellow,” said he coldly, “thou mayst take thy daughter back again; I would not marry her after this day’s doings could I gain all merry England thereby.  I tell thee plainly, I loved thy daughter, old as I am, and would have taken her up like a jewel from the sty, yet, truly, I knew not that she did love this fellow, and was beloved by him.  Maiden, if thou dost rather choose a beggarly minstrel than a high-born knight, take thy choice.  I do feel it shame that I should thus stand talking amid this herd, and so I will leave you.”  Thus saying, he turned and, gathering his men about him, walked proudly down the aisle.  Then all the yeomen were silenced by the scorn of his words.  Only Friar Tuck leaned over the edge of the choir loft and called out to him ere he had gone, “Good den, Sir Knight.  Thou wottest old bones must alway make room for young blood.”  Sir Stephen neither answered nor looked up, but passed out from the church as though he had heard nought, his men following him.

Then the Bishop of Hereford spoke hastily, “I, too, have no business here, and so will depart.”  And he made as though he would go.  But Robin Hood laid hold of his clothes and held him.  “Stay, my Lord Bishop,” said he, “I have yet somewhat to say to thee.”  The Bishop’s face fell, but he stayed as Robin bade him, for he saw he could not go.

Then Robin Hood turned to stout Edward of Deirwold, and said he, “Give thy blessing on thy daughter’s marriage to this yeoman, and all will be well.  Little John, give me the bags of gold.  Look, farmer.  Here are two hundred bright golden angels; give thy blessing, as I say, and I will count them out to thee as thy daughter’s dower.  Give not thy blessing, and she shall be married all the same, but not so much as a cracked farthing shall cross thy palm.  Choose.”

Then Edward looked upon the ground with bent brows, turning the matter over and over in his mind; but he was a shrewd man and one, withal, that made the best use of a cracked pipkin; so at last he looked up and said, but in no joyous tone, “If the wench will go her own gait, let her go.  I had thought to make a lady of her; yet if she chooses to be what she is like to be, I have nought to do with her henceforth.  Ne’ertheless I will give her my blessing when she is duly wedded.”