Red Eve | Page 7

that you are but a merchant's lad, though your blood be as noble as any
in this realm--a merchant's lad, the last of five brothers? Why were you
not born the first of them if you wished for Eve Clavering, for then
your red gold might have bought me."
"Ask that of those who begot me," said Hugh. "Come now, what's in
your mind? You're not one to be sold like a heifer at a faring and go
whimpering to the altar, and I am not one to see you led there while I
stand upon my feet. We are made of a clay too stiff for a French lord's
fingers, Eve, though it is true that they may drag you whither you
would not walk."
"No," she answered, "I think I shall take some marrying against my
wish. Moreover, I am Dunwich born."
"What of that, Eve?"

"Go ask your godsire and my friend, Sir Andrew Arnold, the old priest.
In the library of the Temple there he showed me an ancient roll, a copy
of the charter granted by John and other kings of England to the
citizens of Dunwich."
"What said this writing, Eve?"
"It said, among other things, that no man or maid of Dunwich can be
forced to marry against their will, even in the lifetime of their parents."
"But will it hold to-day?"
"Ay, I think so. I think that is why the holy Sir Andrew showed it to me,
knowing something of our case, for he is my confessor when I can get
to him."
"Then, sweet, you are safe!" exclaimed Hugh, with a sigh of relief.
"Ay, so safe that to-morrow Father Nicholas, the French chaplain in his
train, has been warned to wed me to my lord Acour--that is, if I'm there
to wed."
"And if this Acour is here, I'll seek him out to-night and challenge him,
Eve," and Hugh laid hand upon his sword.
"Doubtless," she replied sarcastically, "Sir Edmund Acour, Count of
Noyon, Seigneur of Cattrina, will find it honour to accept the challenge
of Hugh de Cressi, the merchant's youngest son. Oh, Hugh, Hugh! are
your wits frozen like this winter marsh? Not thus can you save me."
The young man thought a while, staring at the ground and biting his
lips. Then he looked up suddenly and said:
"How much do you love me, Eve?"
With a slow smile, she opened her arms, and next moment they were
kissing each other as heartily as ever man and maid have kissed since
the world began, so heartily, indeed, that when at length she pushed
him from her, her lovely face was as red as the cloak she wore.

"You know well that I love you, to my sorrow and undoing," she said,
in a broken voice. "From childhood it has been so between us, and till
the grave takes one or both it will be so, and for my part beyond it, if
the priests speak true. For, whatever may be your case, I am not one to
change my fancy. When I give, I give all, though it be of little worth. In
truth, Hugh, if I could I would marry you to-night, though you are
naught but a merchant's son, or even----" And she paused, wiping her
eyes with the back of her slim, strong hand.
"I thank you," he answered, trembling with joy. "So it is with me. For
you and no other woman I live and die; and though I am so humble I'll
be worthy of you yet. If God keeps me in breath you shall not blush for
your man, Eve. Well, I am not great at words, so let us come to deeds.
Will you away with me now? I think that Father Arnold would find you
lodging for the night and an altar to be wed at, and to-morrow our ship
sails for Flanders and for France."
"Yes, but would your father give us passage in it, Hugh?"
"Why not? It could not deepen the feud between our Houses, which
already has no bottom, and if he refused, we would take one, for the
captain is my friend. And I have some little store set by; it came to me
from my mother."
"You ask much," she said; "all a woman has, my life, perchance, as
well. Yet there it is; I'll go because I'm a fool, Hugh; and, as it chances,
you are more to me than aught, and I hate this fine French lord. I tell
you I sicken at his glance and shiver when he touches me. Why, if he
came too near I should murder him and be hanged. I'll go, though God
alone knows the end of it."
"Our purpose being honest, the end will be