At these bold words the French knights and squires drew their swords and ringed themselves round their captain, whereon Hugh and his party also drew their swords.

“Stay,” cried old Sir Andrew in his ringing voice.  “Let no blood be shed in the holy house of God.  You men of Suffolk, know that you harbour a foul traitor in your bosoms, one who plots to deliver you to the French.  Lift no hand on his behalf, lest on you also should fall the vengeance of the King, who has issued his commands to all his officers and people, to seize Acour living or dead.”

Now a silence fell upon the place, for none liked this talk of the King’s warrant, and in the midst of it Hugh asked: 

“Do you yield, Sir Edmund Acour, or must we and the burgesses of Dunwich who gather without seize you and your people?”

Acour turned and began to talk rapidly with the priest Nicholas, while the congregation stared at each other.  Then Sir John Clavering, who all this while had been listening like a man in a dream, suddenly stepped forward.

“Hugh de Cressi,” he said, “tell me, does the King’s writ run against John Clavering?”

“Nay,” answered Hugh, “I told his Grace that you were an honest man deceived by a knave.”

“Then what do you, slayer of my son, in my house?  Know that I have just married my daughter to this knight whom you name traitor, and that I here defend him to the last who is now my kin.  Begone and seek elsewhere, or stay and die.”

“How have you married her?” asked Hugh in a hollow voice.  “Not of her own will, surely?  Rise, Eve, and tell us the truth.”

Eve stirred.  Resting her hands upon the altar rails, slowly she raised herself to her feet and turned her white face toward him.

“Who spoke?” she said.  “Was it Hugh that Acour swore is dead?  Oh! where am I?  Hugh, Hugh, what passes?”

“Your honour, it seems, Eve.  They say you are married to this traitor.”

“I married, and in this red robe!  Why, that betokens blood, as blood there must be if I am wed to any man save you,” and she laughed, a dreadful laugh.

“In the name of Christ,” thundered old Sir Andrew, “tell me, John Clavering, what means this play?  Yonder woman is no willing wife.  She’s drugged or mad.  Man, have you doctored your own daughter?”

“Doctored my daughter?  I!  I!  Were you not a priest I’d tear out your tongue for those words.  She’s married and of her own will.  Else would she have stood silent at this altar?”

“It shall be inquired of later,” Hugh answered coldly.  “Now yield you, Sir Edmund Acour, the King’s business comes first.”

“Nay,” shouted Clavering, springing forward and drawing his sword; “in my house my business comes first.  Acour is my daughter’s husband and so shall stay till death or Pope part them.  Out of this, Hugh de Cressi, with all your accursed chapman tribe.”

Hugh walked toward Acour, taking no heed.  Then suddenly Sir John lifted his sword and smote with all his strength.  The blow caught Hugh on the skull and down he fell, his mail clattering on the stones, and lay still.  With a whine of rage, Grey Dick leapt at Clavering, drawing from his side the archer’s axe he always wore.  But old Sir Andrew caught and held him in his arms.