Here he was interrupted by a cry of rage which broke from the assembled foresters.  Continuing unmoved, he said,—­

“Sir Rudolph, being unwilling to take the life of a woman, however justly forfeited by the law, commands me to say, that if you will deliver yourself up to him by to-morrow at twelve, the Dame Editha shall be allowed to go free.  But that if by the time the dial points to noon you have not delivered yourself up, he will hang her over the battlements of the castle.”

Cuthbert was very pale, and he waved his hand to restrain the fury which animated the outlaws.

“This man,” he said to them, “is a herald, and, as such, is protected by all the laws of chivalry.  Whatsoever his message, it is none of his.  He is merely the mouthpiece of him who sent him.”  Then, turning to the herald, he said, “Tell the false knight, your master, on my part, that he is a foul ruffian, perjured to all the vows of knighthood; that this act of visiting upon a woman the enmity he bears her son, will bring upon him the execration of all men; and that the offer which he makes me is as foul and villainous as himself.  Nevertheless, knowing his character, and believing that he is capable of keeping his word, tell him that by to-morrow at noon I will be there; that the lady, my mother, is to leave the castle gates as I enter them; and that though by his foul device he may encompass my death, yet that the curse of every good man will light upon him, that he will be shunned as the dog he is, and that assuredly heaven will not suffer that deeds so foul should bring with them the prize he seeks to gain.”

The herald bowed, and, escorted by two archers to the edge of the forest, returned to Evesham Castle.

After his departure, an animated council took place.  Cnut and the outlaws, burning with indignation, were ready to attempt anything.  They would, had Cuthbert given the word, have attacked the castle that very night.  But Cuthbert pointed out the absolute impossibility of their carrying so strong a place by such an assault, unprovided with engines for battering down the gates.  He said that surprise would be impossible, as the knight would be sure to take every precaution against it; and that in the event of such an attack being attempted, he would possibly carry his threat into execution, and murder Dame Editha before their eyes.  Cnut was like a madman, so transported with fury was he; and the archers were also beside themselves.  Cuthbert alone retained his calmness.  Retiring apart from the others, he paced slowly backwards and forwards among the trees, deliberating upon the best course to be pursued.  The archers gathered round the fire and passed the night in long and angry talk, each man agreeing that in the event of their beloved leader being sacrificed by Sir Rudolph, they would one and all give their lives to avenge him by slaying the oppressor whensoever he ventured beyond the castle gates.