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Updated: June 5, 2025
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.
The herald, who has just been here with the final articles of your fray signed by the Doge and Cattrina, has told me much that I can scarce believe.
"Now that for deeds done a King has made me knight, and now that this King under his seal and sign has named me his champion, in your presence, Illustrious, and in that of all your Court, I challenge Cattrina again to single combat to the death with lance and sword and dagger.
As for your fine knightly honour, Sir Edmund Acour, Count de Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, what has a traitor to his King to do with honour, one who is here as a spy of Philip of France, as the poor merchant's lad knows well? Oh, take you hand from your sword, of which you say I am not worthy, and, since you say also that I have so many enemies, let me begin with a squire of my own degree."
There he pulled it to his haunches and shouted out in a great voice: "Where is Cattrina? Am I to be fooled, who appear here as the champion of the King of England? Where is Cattrina? Produce Cattrina that I may slay him or be slain, or, Chivalry of Venice, be forever shamed!" The Doge rose, uttering swift commands, and heralds ran here and there.
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."
"Alas, Sir Knight," began the knave in a quavering voice, "both of them are dead." "What!" cried Hugh supporting himself against the wall, for at this terrible news his knees trembled beneath him, "have you or your patron Cattrina murdered them?" "Murdered them, Sir Knight! I do murder? I, a Christian and a man of peace! Never! And the noble lord of Cattrina, Count de Noyon!
In Avignon, however the cause may go, Cattrina purposes to snare and make her his, which will be easy, for there he has many friends and she has none." "Except God!" exclaimed Hugh, grinding his teeth. "And Sir Andrew Arnold," broke in Dick, "who, like some others, is, I think, one of His ministers. Still, we had better be riding, master." "Nay, nay," cried Nicholas in a hoarse scream.
A dark figure in priest's robe it was that of Father Nicholas, the secretary who had brewed Red Eve's potion glided up to Cattrina and whispered swiftly in his ear. Then the Doge lifted his hand and there was silence. "My lord of Cattrina," he said, "Sir Hugh de Cressi, speaking as the champion of our ally, the King of England, has challenged you to single combat a outrance. What say you?"
"When the darkness fell there in the Place of Arms," began Nicholas, "while you knights were waiting for the third blast of the trumpet, Cattrina fled under cover it." "As I thought, the accursed coward!" exclaimed Hugh bitterly. "Nay, to be just, it was not all cowardice.
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