fit
on him."

His captors cast Robert roughly on the altar steps, where he lay like
one dying.

"Now leave me."

The two soldiers went out, the sea-door closed, and Hildebrand and
Robert were left alone.

Hildebrand went slowly over to where Robert lay and talked mockingly to
him.

"How mulish a woman may be! Here is a great country girl, who has never
lain soft nor known cheer, never worn silk and never sported a jewel,
and yet when great men scuffle for her, she will rather die than serve
them and herself. Yes, friend Diogenes, your sweetheart will be burned
as a witch."

Robert lifted his head. "Pray Heaven you lie!" he moaned.

"I am more truthful than an oracle," Hildebrand retorted. "When the
wood-wench flouted him, our good King vowed that she should burn for her
virtue."

Robert shuddered at the memory of his own words, of his own purpose.

"Oh, God, have mercy on my wicked soul!" he prayed.

Hildebrand mocked him with a false compassion. "Yet all is not lost,
friend Diogenes. If your wit saved her before, your valor may save her
now."

Robert turned to him again.

"If your heart holds any pity, speak," he entreated, hoping against hope
for some leaven of charity in the heart of Hildebrand.

"She can appeal to the ordeal of battle," Hildebrand said, calmly. "And
if she finds a champion valiant enough to overthrow the King's man, who
shall accuse her, then she is free."

Robert hid his face. "Heaven have pity!" he murmured.

Hildebrand went on unmoved.

"The King has picked me for his champion, and, as you know, I am skilled
in arms. But you are a stalwart fellow. Prove yourself the better man
and save your paramour."

A crazy thought came into Robert's brain. He had a dagger at his belt;
if he could but take Hildebrand unawares and slay him, one danger would
be out of Perpetua's path. His hand felt for the handle, held it fast.
He poised his crippled body for a spring, turned swiftly on the altar
stairs, and leaped with lifted blade at Hildebrand. But Hildebrand had
watched his gesture, divined his thoughts; he caught him as he sprang,
by the throat and wrist, and while with the one hand he squeezed so hard
that he wellnigh forced the breath from Robert's body, with the other he
twisted Robert's wrist so that the knife fell clattering on the flags of
the church. Then he tossed Robert, limp and gasping, to the ground.

"Keep your fury for the day of fight," Hildebrand sneered. "See now ho