t the protest of his Excellency, who forgot his noble presence,"
replied Cattrina bowing back. "Seeing that his King, who is not a
cut-throat"--here a titter of laughter went through the company, though
it was evident from the frown upon his face that the Doge liked the
jest ill--"has chosen to make a knight of this de Cressi. Or so he says,
which will show you, friends all, how hard it must be to find gentlemen
in England."

Again the company tittered, though Dick's grey face turned scarlet and
he bit upon his pale lip until the blood ran.

"As you accept the challenge," broke in the Doge shortly, "cease from
gibes, my lord, which more befit an angry woman's mouth than that of
one whose life is about to be put to hazard, and take up the gage of his
Grace of England."

Cattrina looked round and bade a page who waited on his person obey the
Doge's command, saying:

"Your pardon, most Illustrious, if I do not touch that glove myself,
as it seems somewhat foul. I think it must have served its owner in his
useful labours at the dyer's vat before his master made him noble."

Now it was Hugh's turn to colour, but when he understood the insult Grey
Dick could contain himself no more.

"Ay, Sir Cheat and Traitor," he said in his hissing voice. "The vat in
which it has been dipped was that of the life-blood of your dupe, Sir
Pierre de la Roche, and of many a nobler Norman. Oh, did we not stand
where we do I'd thrust it down your false throat, and with it twist out
your slanderous tongue."

"Peace, peace!" cried the Doge, while those present who understood
English translated Dick's wild words to their neighbours, and Cattrina
laughed mockingly at the success of his sneer. "Have I not said that
such words are unseemly? Ah! I thought it; well, my lord, you have
brought it on yourself."

For while he spoke, the page, a mincing young man tied up with bows and
ribbon like a woman, had lifted the glove. Holding it between his thumb
and forefinger, he returned it to Hugh with a low, mock bow, being
careful as he did so, as all might see, to tread upon Dick's foot
and hustle him. Next moment two things happened. The first was that,
dropping his cased bow, Grey Dick seized that young in his iron grip and
hurled him into the air so that he fell heavily on the marble floor and
lay there stunned, the blood running from his nose and mouth. The second
was that, seizing his gauntlet, Hugh strode to where Cattrina stood, and
struck him