THE LOVE PHILTRE So it came about that on the morrow Eve and Sir Andrew, accompanied only by a single serving man, fearing no guile since it seemed certain that the Frenchmen were so far away, rode across the moor to Blythburgh.

At the manor-house they found the drawbridge up.

The watchman at the gate said also that his orders were to admit none, for the Frenchmen being gone, there were but few to guard the place.
"What, good fellow," asked Eve, "not even the daughter of the house who has heard that her father lies so sick ?" "Ay, he lies sick, lady," the man replied, "but such are his orders.

Yet if you will bide here a while, I'll go and learn his mind." So he went and returned presently, saying that Sir John commanded that his daughter was to be admitted, but that if Sir Andrew attempted to enter he should be driven back by force.
"Will you go in or will you return with me ?" asked her companion of Eve.
"God's truth!" she answered, "am I one to run away from my father, however bad his humour?
I'll go in and set my case before him, for after all he loves me in his own fashion and when he understands will, I think, relent." "Your heart is your best guide, daughter, and it would be an ill task for me to stand between sire and child.

Enter then, for I am sure that the Saints and your own innocence will protect you from all harm.