ing is a
matter of surmise and evidence which may not be forthcoming, since you
are the only witness, and where is the proof? I fear me, daughter, that
according to the Church's law you are de Noyon's lawful wife----"

"The Church's law," she broke in; "how about God's law? There lies the
only man to whom I owe a bond, and I'll die a hundred deaths before any
other shall even touch my hand. Ay, if need be, I'll kill myself and
reason out the case with St. Peter in the Gates."

"Hush! hush! speak not so madly. The knot that the Church ties it can
unloose. This matter must to his Holiness the Pope; it shall be my
business to lay it before him; yea, letters shall go to Avignon by the
first safe hand. Moreover, it well may happen that God Himself will free
you, by the sword of His servant Death. This lord of yours, if indeed he
be your lord, is a foul traitor. The King of England seeks his life, and
there is another who will seek it also ere very long," and he glanced
at the senseless form of Hugh. "Fret not yourself overmuch, daughter.
Be grateful rather that matters are no worse, and that you remain as you
always were. Another hour and you might have been snatched away beyond
our finding. What is not ended can still be mended. Now go, seek the
rest you need, for I would not have two sick folk on my hands. Oh, seek
it with a thankful heart, and forget not to pray for the soul of your
erring father, for, after all he loved you and strove for your welfare
according to his lights."

"It may be so," answered Eve, "and I'll pray for him, as is my duty.
I'll pray also that I may never find such another friend as my father
showed himself to me."

Then she bent for a moment over Hugh, stretching out her hands above him
as though in blessing, and departed as silently as she had come.

Three days went by before Hugh found his mind again, and after that for
two weeks he was so feeble that he must lie quite still and scarcely
talk at all. Sir Andrew, who nursed him continually with the help of
Grey Dick, who brought his master possets, bow on back and axe at side
but never opened his grim mouth, told his patient that Eve was safe and
sound, but that he must not see her until he grew strong again.

So Hugh strove to grow strong, and, nature helping him, not in vain. At
length there came a day when he might rise from his bed, and sit on a
bench in the pleasant spring sunshine by the open window. Walk he
could not, however, not