He slunk away into the darkness, leaving me felled by a treacherous blow.

Thence he fled to France and stirred up war against his liege lord under the Oriflamme of King Philip.

Now that this banner is in the dust he has fled again to Venice, and here, as I have heard, broods more mischief.
Once, when after the sack of Caen I sent him my challenge, he returned to me an insolent answer that he did not fight with merchants' sons--he who could take mercy from the hand of a merchant's son.
"Now that for deeds done a King has made me knight, and now that this King under his seal and sign has named me his champion, in your presence, Illustrious, and in that of all your Court, I challenge Cattrina again to single combat to the death with lance and sword and dagger.

Yes, and I name him coward and scullion if he refuses this, King Edward's gage and mine," and drawing the gauntlet from his left hand, Hugh cast it clattering to the marble floor at de Noyon's feet.
A babel of talk broke out in the great hall, and with it some _vivas_ and clapping of hands, for Hugh had spoken boldly and well; moreover, the spectators read truth in his grey eyes.

A dark figure in priest's robe--it was that of Father Nicholas, the secretary who had brewed Red Eve's potion--glided up to Cattrina and whispered swiftly in his ear.
Then the Doge lifted his hand and there was silence.
"My lord of Cattrina," he said, "Sir Hugh de Cressi, speaking as the champion of our ally, the King of England, has challenged you to single combat _a outrance_.