But should I be a match for him, man to man, Eve ?" he asked after a little pause.
She looked him up and down; then answered: "I think so, though he is no weakling; but not for him and the five knights and the ten squires, and my noble father, and my brother, and the rest.

Oh, Hugh, Hugh!" she added bitterly, "cannot you understand that you are but a merchant's lad, though your blood be as noble as any in this realm--a merchant's lad, the last of five brothers?
Why were you not born the first of them if you wished for Eve Clavering, for then your red gold might have bought me." "Ask that of those who begot me," said Hugh.

"Come now, what's in your mind?
You're not one to be sold like a heifer at a faring and go whimpering to the altar, and I am not one to see you led there while I stand upon my feet.

We are made of a clay too stiff for a French lord's fingers, Eve, though it is true that they may drag you whither you would not walk." "No," she answered, "I think I shall take some marrying against my wish.
Moreover, I am Dunwich born." "What of that, Eve ?" "Go ask your godsire and my friend, Sir Andrew Arnold, the old priest.
In the library of the Temple there he showed me an ancient roll, a copy of the charter granted by John and other kings of England to the citizens of Dunwich." "What said this writing, Eve ?" "It said, among other things, that no man or maid of Dunwich can be forced to marry against their will, even in the lifetime of their parents." "But will it hold to-day ?" "Ay, I think so.

I think that is why the holy Sir Andrew showed it to me, knowing something of our case, for he is my confessor when I can get to him." "Then, sweet, you are safe!" exclaimed Hugh, with a sigh of relief.
"Ay, so safe that to-morrow Father Nicholas, the French chaplain in his train, has been warned to wed me to my lord Acour--that is, if I'm there to wed." "And if this Acour is here, I'll seek him out to-night and challenge him, Eve," and Hugh laid hand upon his sword.
"Doubtless," she replied sarcastically, "Sir Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, will find it honour to accept the challenge of Hugh de Cressi, the merchant's youngest son.