"
Pierce burst out laughing. "I should think not. They speak
gibberish, and she, for I have heard her in Church, speaks words with
a meaning, as her priest and nuns taught her."
"But her face, sir. There's the Evil One's mark. One side says nay
to the other."
"The Evil One! Nay, Dick, he is none other than Sir Leonard himself.
'Twas he that all unwittingly, when a boy, fired a barrel of powder
close to her and marred her countenance. You are not fool and ass
enough to give credence to these tales."
"I said not that I did, sir," replied the page; "but it is what the
men-at-arms swear to, having drawn it from the serving-maid."
"The adder," muttered Pierce.
"Moreover," continued the boy, "they have found out that there is a
wise man witch-finder at Shields. They mean to be revenged for the
scanty fare and mean providings; and they deem it will be a merry
jest in this weary hold, and that Sir Leonard will be too glad to be
quit of his gruesome dame to call them to account."
It was fearful news, for Pierce well knew his own incompetence to
restrain these strong and violent men. He did not know where his
knight was to be found, and, if he had known, it was only too likely
that these terrible intentions might be carried out before any
messenger could reach him. Indeed, the belief in sorcery was
universal, and no rank was exempt from the danger of the accusation.
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