Hugh de Cressi, to whom you held yourself affianced, is dead." She quivered a little at the words, but still made no answer, for her will was very strong.
"I had the story," he continued, "from two of his own men, whom we met flying back to Dunwich from London.

It seems that messengers from your father reached the Court of the King before this Hugh, telling him of the slaying in Blythburgh Marsh.

Then came Hugh himself, whereon the King seized him and his henchman, the archer, and at once put them on their trial as the murderers of John Clavering, of my knights, and Thomas of Kessland, which they admitted boldly.

Thereon his Grace, who was beside himself with rage, said that in a time of war, when every man was needed to fight the French, he was determined by a signal example to put a stop to the shedding of blood in these private feuds.

So he ordered the merchant to the block, and his henchman, the archer, to the gallows, giving them but one hour to make their peace with God.
Moreover," he went on, searching her cold impassive face with his eyes, "I did not escape his wrath, for he gave command that I was to be seized wherever I might be found and cast into prison till I could be put upon my trial, and my knights with me.