Sir Andrew’s eloquent dark eyes, that ever shadowed forth the thoughts which passed within him, grew very troubled.

“I cannot tell you,” he answered awkwardly after thinking a while.  “This priest, Nicholas, though I hold him a foul villain, is doubtless still a priest, clothed with all the authority of our Lord Himself, since the unworthiness of the minister does not invalidate the sacrament.  Were it otherwise, indeed, few would be well baptized or wed or shriven.  Moreover, although I suspect that himself he mixed the draught, yet he may not have known that you were drugged, and you stood silent, and, it would appear, consenting.  The ceremony, alas! was completed; I myself heard him give the benediction.  Your father assisted thereat and gave you to the groom in the presence of a congregation.  The drugging is a matter of surmise and evidence which may not be forthcoming, since you are the only witness, and where is the proof?  I fear me, daughter, that according to the Church’s law you are de Noyon’s lawful wife——­”

“The Church’s law,” she broke in; “how about God’s law?  There lies the only man to whom I owe a bond, and I’ll die a hundred deaths before any other shall even touch my hand.  Ay, if need be, I’ll kill myself and reason out the case with St. Peter in the Gates.”

“Hush! hush! speak not so madly.  The knot that the Church ties it can unloose.  This matter must to his Holiness the Pope; it shall be my business to lay it before him; yea, letters shall go to Avignon by the first safe hand.  Moreover, it well may happen that God Himself will free you, by the sword of His servant Death.  This lord of yours, if indeed he be your lord, is a foul traitor.  The King of England seeks his life, and there is another who will seek it also ere very long,” and he glanced at the senseless form of Hugh.  “Fret not yourself overmuch, daughter.  Be grateful rather that matters are no worse, and that you remain as you always were.  Another hour and you might have been snatched away beyond our finding.  What is not ended can still be mended.  Now go, seek the rest you need, for I would not have two sick folk on my hands.  Oh, seek it with a thankful heart, and forget not to pray for the soul of your erring father, for, after all he loved you and strove for your welfare according to his lights.”

“It may be so,” answered Eve, “and I’ll pray for him, as is my duty.  I’ll pray also that I may never find such another friend as my father showed himself to me.”

Then she bent for a moment over Hugh, stretching out her hands above him as though in blessing, and departed as silently as she had come.

Three days went by before Hugh found his mind again, and after that for two weeks he was so feeble that he must lie quite still and scarcely talk at all.  Sir Andrew, who nursed him continually with the help of Grey Dick, who brought his master possets, bow on back and axe at side but never opened his grim mouth, told his patient that Eve was safe and sound, but that he must not see her until he grew strong again.