"Have you the evil eye that you then croak disaster in my ears?
Look you, priest, I must come through this game unharmed.

Death is a companion I do not seek just yet, who have too much to live for--power and wealth and high renown, if my plans succeed; and as you should know, they are well laid.

Moreover, there is that English girl, Red Eve, my wife, from whose sweet side you made me flee.
I tell you, Nicholas, I burn for her and had rather taste her hate than the love of any other woman on the earth.

Now, too, the Pope has summoned me to Avignon, and her also, to lay our causes before him.
Being bold, mayhap she will come, for his Holiness has sent her safe-conduct under his own hand.

Nor has he mentioned--for I saw a copy of the brief--that the same business will take me to Avignon about this time.