Then act as he may command you, and maybe ere long we shall see you back at Dunwich pardoned." "I think it is the Claverings and their French lord who need pardon, not I," said Hugh.

"But be that as it may, what of Eve ?" "Fear not for Eve, son, for here she bides in sanctuary until the Frenchman is out of England, or perchance," he added grimly, "under English soil." "Ay, ay, we'll guard the maid," broke in Master de Cressi.

"Come! to saddle ere you be trapped." So they descended to a back entrance, and through it into the courtyard, where the four armed men waited with six good horses, one of them Hugh's own.

Here he bade farewell to his brothers, to his father, who kissed him on the brow, and to Sir Andrew, who stretched his hand above his head in blessing.

Then he turned to Eve and was about to embrace her even before that company, when Sir Andrew looked at him, and, remembering the penance that had been laid upon him, he but pressed her hand, whispering: "God be with you, sweetheart!" "He is with us all, but I would that you could be with me also," she answered in the same low voice.