An hour later and Hugh, clad in fresh garments of sweet linen, bathedand shaved, sat at table in a great, cool room with Sir Geoffrey and hislady, a middle-aged and anxious-faced woman, while Grey Dick ate at alower board with certain of the Envoy's household.
"I have read the letters which concern the business of his Grace theKing," said Sir Geoffrey, who was toying languidly with some Southernfruits, for he would touch no meat. "They have to do with moneys thathis Grace owes to great bankers of this city but does not yet find itconvenient to discharge. I have seen their like before, and to-morrowmust deal with them as best I may--no pleasant business, for theseusurers grow urgent," and he sighed. "But," he added, "the King saysthat you, Sir Hugh de Cressi, whom he names his 'brave, trusty and mostwell beloved knight and companion in war,'" and he bowed courteously toHugh, "have another business which he commands me to forward by everymeans in my power, and that without fail. What is this business, SirHugh?"
"It is set out, Sir Geoffrey, in a letter from his Grace to the Doge ofVenice, which I am to ask you to deliver. Here it is. Be pleased to readit, it is open."
The Envoy took the letter and read it, lifting his eyebrows as he didso.
"By St. Mark,--he's the right saint to swear by in Venice"--he exclaimedwhen he had finished, "this is a strange affair. You have travelledhither to offer single combat to Edmund Acour, Count of Noyon andSeigneur of Cattrina. The Doge is urged by his friendship to the throneof England to bring about this combat to the death, seeing that de Noyonhas broken his oath of homage, has plotted to overthrow King Edward, hasfought against him and that therefore you are his Grace's champion aswell 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 hescarce dare do otherwise who wishes no quarrel with our country just nowwhen it is victorious. Also this de Noyon, whom we call Cattrina here,has allied himself with certain great men of the Republic, with whom heis connected by blood, who are secret enemies to the Doge. Through themhe strives to stir up trouble between Venice and England, and to raisemercenaries to serve the flag of France, as did the Genoese, to theirsorrow. Therefore I think that in the Doge you will find a friend. Ithink also that the matter, being brought forward with such authority,the Seigneur de Cattrina will scarcely care to refuse your challenge ifyou can show that you have good cause for quarrel against him, sincein such affairs the Venetians are punctilious. But now tell me the talethat I may judge better."
So Hugh told him all.
"A strange story and a good cause," said Sir Geoffrey when he had done."Only this Cattrina is dangerous. Had he known you came to Venice,mayhap you had never lived to reach my house. Go armed, young knight,especially after the sun sinks. I'll away to write to the Doge, settingout the heads of the matter and asking audience. The messenger shallleave ere I sleep, if sleep I may in this heat. Bide you here and talkwith my lady, if it so pleases you, for I would show you my letter erewe bid good-night, and the thing is pressing. We must catch Cattrinabefore he gets wind of your presence in Venice."