There were outcries about provisions and wine or ale, and shouts
demanding more, and when Pierce declared that he would not have the
lady insulted, there was a hoarse loud laugh. He was about to order
Tordu as ringleader into custody, but Ridley said to him aside, "Best
not, sir; his fellows will not lay a finger on him, and if we did so,
there would be a brawl, and we might come by the worst."
So Pierce could only say, with all the force he could, "Bear in mind
that Sir Leonard Copeland is lord here, and all miscourtesy to his
lady is an offence to himself, which will be visited with his wrath."
The sneering laugh came again, and Tordu made answer, "Ay, ay, sir;
she has bewitched you, and we'll soon have him and you free."
Pierce was angered into flying at the man with his sword, but the
other men came between, and Ridley held him back.
"You are still a maimed man, sir. To be foiled would be worse than
to let it pass."
"There, fellow, I'll spare you, so you ask pardon of me and the
lady."
Perhaps they thought they had gone too far, for there was a sulky
growl that might pass for an apology, and Ridley's counsel was
decided that Pierce had better not pursue the matter.
What had been said, however, alarmed him, and set him on the watch,
and the next evening, when Hardcastle was walking along the cliffs
beyond the castle, the lad who acted as his page came to him, with
round, wondering eyes, "Sir," said he, after a little hesitation, "is
it sooth that the lady spake a spell over your arm?"
"Not to my knowledge," said Pierce smiling.
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