"The hunt's up," said Father Nicholas when he had heard all this talea little later, "and now, lord, I think that you had better away toFrance, unless you desire to stop without companions in the churchyonder."
"Ay, priest, I'll away, but by God's blood, I'll take that Red Eve withme! For one thing she knows too much to leave her behind. For a secondI mean to pay her back, and for a third, although you may think itstrange, I'm mad for her. I tell you she looked wondrous standing withher back against that wall, her marble face never wincing when I toldher all the lie about young de Cressi's death--which will be holy truthwhen I get a chance at him--watching me out of those great, dark eyes ofhers."
"Doubtless, lord, but how did she look when she called you knave andtraitor? I think you said those were her wicked words. Oh!" he addedwith a ring of earnestness in his smooth voice, "let this Red Eve be. Atbed or board she's no mate for you. Something fights at her side, be itangel or devil, or just raw chance. At the least she'll prove your ruinunless you let her be."
"Then I'll be ruined, Nicholas, for I'll not leave her, for a while, atany rate. What! de Noyon, whom they call Danger of Dames, beaten by acountry girl who has never seen London or Paris! I'd sooner die."
"As well may chance if the country lad and the country archer come backwith Edward's warrant in their pouch," answered the priest, shrugginghis lean shoulders. "Well, lord, what is your plan?"
"To carry her off. Can't we manage nine stone of womanhood between us?"
"If she were dead it might be done, though hardly--over these Suffolkroads. But being very much alive with a voice to scream with, hands tofight with, a brain to think with and friends who know her from here toYarmouth, or to Hull, and Monsieur Grey Dick's arrows pricking us behindperchance--well, I don't know."
"Friend," said Acour, tapping him on the shoulder meaningly, "there mustbe some way; there are always ways, and I pray you to hunt them out.Come, find me one, or stay here alone to explain affairs, first to thisDick whom you have so much upon the brain, and afterward to Edward ofEngland or his officers."
Father Nicholas looked at the great Count's face. Then he looked at theground, and, having studied it a while without result, turned his beadyeyes to the heavens, where it would seem that he found inspiration.
"I am a stranger to love, thank the Saints," he said, "but, as you know,lord, I am a master leech, and amongst other things have studied certainmedicines which breed that passion in the human animal."
"Love philtres?" queried Acour doubtfully.
"Yes, that kind of thing. One dose, and those who hate become enamoured,and those who are enamoured hate."
"Then in God's or Satan's name, give her one. Only be careful it is theright sort, for if you made a mistake so that she hated me any more thanshe does at present, I know not what would happen. Also if you kill herI'll dig a sword point through you. How would the stuff work?"
"She'll seem somewhat stupid for a while, perhaps not speak, but onlysmile kindly. That will last twelve hours or so, plenty of time for youto be married, and afterward, when the grosser part of the potion passesoff leaving only its divine essence, why, afterward she'll love youfuriously."
"A powerful medicine, truly, that can change the nature of woman.Moreover, I'd rather that she loved me--well, as happy brides do. StillI put up with the fury provided it be of the good kind. And now how isit to be done?"
"Leave that to me, lord," said Nicholas, with a cunning smile. "Give mea purse of gold, not less than ten pieces, for some is needed to melt inthe mixture, and more to bribe that woman and others. For the rest, holdyourself ready to become a husband before sunset to-morrow. Go see SirJohn and tell him that the lady softens. Send men on to King's Lynn alsoto bid them have our ship prepared to sail the minute we appear, whichwith good fortune should be within forty-eight hours from now. Aboveall, forget not that I run great risk to soul and body for your sake andthat there are abbeys vacant in Normandy. Now, farewell, I must to mywork, for this medicine takes much skill such as no other leech has savemyself. Ay, and much prayer also, that naught may hinder its powerfulworking."
"Prayer to the devil, I think," said his master looking after him witha shrug of his shoulders. "God's truth! if any one had told me threemonths gone that de Noyon would live to seek the aid of priests andpotions to win a woman's favour, I'd have named him liar to his face.What would those who have gone before her think of this story, Iwonder?"
Then with a bitter laugh he turned and went about his business, whichwas to lie to the father as he had lied to the daughter. Only in thissecond case he found one more willing to listen and easier to deceive.