aged and anxious-faced woman, while Grey Dick ate at a
lower board with certain of the Envoy's household.

"I have read the letters which concern the business of his Grace the
King," said Sir Geoffrey, who was toying languidly with some Southern
fruits, for he would touch no meat. "They have to do with moneys that
his Grace owes to great bankers of this city but does not yet find it
convenient to discharge. I have seen their like before, and to-morrow
must deal with them as best I may--no pleasant business, for these
usurers grow urgent," and he sighed. "But," he added, "the King says
that you, Sir Hugh de Cressi, whom he names his 'brave, trusty and most
well beloved knight and companion in war,'" and he bowed courteously to
Hugh, "have another business which he commands me to forward by every
means in my power, and that without fail. What is this business, Sir
Hugh?"

"It is set out, Sir Geoffrey, in a letter from his Grace to the Doge of
Venice, which I am to ask you to deliver. Here it is. Be pleased to read
it, it is open."

The Envoy took the letter and read it, lifting his eyebrows as he did
so.

"By St. Mark,--he's the right saint to swear by in Venice"--he exclaimed
when he had finished, "this is a strange affair. You have travelled
hither to offer single combat to Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon and
Seigneur of Cattrina. The Doge is urged by his friendship to the throne
of England to bring about this combat to the death, seeing that de Noyon
has broken his oath of homage, has plotted to overthrow King Edward, has
fought against him and that therefore you are his Grace's champion as
well as the avenger of certain private wrongs which you will explain.
That's the letter. Well, I think the Doge will listen to it, because he
scarce dare do otherwise who wishes no quarrel with our country just now
when it is victorious. Also this de Noyon, whom we call Cattrina here,
has allied himself with certain great men of the Republic, with whom he
is connected by blood, who are secret enemies to the Doge. Through them
he strives to stir up trouble between Venice and England, and to raise
mercenaries to serve the flag of France, as did the Genoese, to their
sorrow. Therefore I think that in the Doge you will find a friend. I
think also that the matter, being brought forward with such authority,
the Seigneur de Cattrina will scarcely care to refuse your challenge if
you can show that you have good cause for quarrel against hi