"
The priest, a kindly, quiet man, glanced at an empty place upon
the farther side of his host. "Mistress Edith?" said he.
"Aye, aye, where is the hussy?" cried her father impatiently.
"Mary, I beg you to have the horn blown again, that she may know
that the supper is on the table. What can the little owlet do
abroad at this hour of the night?"
There was trouble in the priest's gentle eyes as he touched the
Knight upon the sleeve. "I have seen Mistress Edith within this
hour," said he. "I fear that she will hear no horn that you may
blow, for she must be at Milford ere now."
"At Milford? What does she there?"
"I pray you, good Sir John, to abate your voice somewhat, for
indeed this matter is for our private discourse, since it touches
the honor of a lady."
"Her honor?" Sir John's ruddy face had turned redder still, as he
stared at the troubled features of the priest. "Her honor, say
you--the honor of my daughter? Make good those words, or never
set your foot over the threshold of Cosford again!"
"I trust that I have done no wrong, Sir John, but indeed I must
say what I have seen, else would I be a false friend and an
unworthy priest."
"Haste man, haste! What in the Devil's name have you seen?"
"Know you a little man, partly misshapen, named Paul de la Fosse?"
"I know him well. He is a man of noble family and coat-armor,
being the younger brother of Sir Eustace de la Fosse of Shalford.
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