ation in a low voice, and with a smile the
Doge waved the matter by, then said:

"Will the noble cavalier be so good as to set out his business, unless
it is for our private ear alone?"

Hugh answered that it was for the public ear of all Venice, and
especially for that of the lord who was called Sir Edmund Acour in
England, the Count de Noyon in France, and the Seigneur of Cattrina in
Italy.

"Will you pleased to point out this lord to us," said the Doge, glancing
at the gorgeous throng which was gathered behind them.

"I cannot, illustrious Doge," answered Hugh, "that is, with certainty.
As it chances I have seen his face but twice--once in a marsh when I had
other things to think of who must watch my enemy's sword, and once at
eve in the corner of a dark chapel, where he had just gone through the
rite of marriage with a lady whom he had drugged, which lady was my
affianced wife. Often afterward I sought to see that face, especially in
the great fray of Crecy, but failed, in a case which with your leave I
will narrate to you."

Now when all that company understood the meaning of these outspoken
words, they swayed to and fro and whispered like reeds in an evening
wind. Presently above this whispering a soft yet penetrating voice was
heard to say:

"If this English knight desires to study the poor face of Acour, de
Noyon, and Cattrina, he who owns it is much honoured and prays your
Excellency's leave to wait upon his pleasure."

So saying a tall and noble-looking man, who wore the badge of a white
swan worked in pearls upon his rich tunic, stepped forward out of the
ring of courtiers and bowed, first to the Doge and next to Hugh.

De Cressi looked at his handsome face with its quick dark eyes and
little, square-cut, black beard, and answered:

"I thank you, Sir Edmund Acour, for I take it you are he. Now I shall
never forget you again, for though a man may shift his armour he cannot
change his countenance"--a saying at which de Noyon coloured a little
and looked down uneasily.

"Cavalier de Cressi, he whom you seek is before you; we ourselves vouch
for his identity," said the Doge. "Now be pleased to set out your case."

"My private case I thrust to one side," answered Hugh, Sir Geoffrey
interpreting all the time, "for it is a matter between this Count, a
certain lady and myself, and can wait. That which I have to lay before
you, Illustrious, has to do with my master the King of England, as whose
champion