There is feasting yonder at the manor, I can tell you.

Ere his train leaves us our winter provender will be done, and we'll have to drink small beer till the wine ships come from France in spring." "And what is this lord's name ?" "God's truth, he has several," she answered.

"Sir Edmund Acour in England, and in France the high and puissant Count of Noyon, and in Italy, near to the city of Venice--for there, too, he has possessions which came to him through his grandmother--the Seigneur of Cattrina." "And having so much, does he want you, too, as I have heard, Eve?
And if so, why ?" "So he swears," she answered slowly; "and as for the reason, why, I suppose you must seek it in my face, which by ill-fortune has pleased his lordship since first he saw it a month ago.

At the least he has asked me in marriage of my father, who jumped at him like a winter pike, and so I'm betrothed." "And do you want him, Eve ?" "Ay, I want him as far as the sun is from the moon or the world from either.

I want him in heaven or beneath the earth, or anywhere away from me." At these words a light shone in Hugh's keen grey eyes.
"I'm glad of that, Eve, for I've been told much of this fine fellow--amongst other things that he is a traitor come here to spy on England.