Here, he showed them, they could bide no longer, and to surrender meant that his new-wed wife would soon be made a widow.

Therefore they must fly, taking with them as many as there were horses for them to ride, if they cared to risk such a journey.

If not, he and the two women would go alone.
Now four of the stoutest-hearted of them, men who had served him and his father for many years, stepped forward, saying that, evil as these seemed to be, they would follow his fortunes to the last.

He thanked them shortly, whereon one of the others asked what they were to do, and if he proposed to desert them after leading them into this plight.
"God knows I would rather die," he replied, with a swelling heart; "but, my friends, consider the case.

If I bide here, what of my wife?
Alas! it has come to this: that you must choose whether you will slip out with us and scatter in the woods, where I think you will not be followed, since yonder Abbot has no quarrel against you; or whether you will wait here, and to-morrow at the dawn, surrender.