“ If you have ears you have heard it.”
“ You are, as you have said, a free woman, and who can gainsay you? But I have known you, Edith, since we played as boy and girl on the heather-hills together. I will save you from this man's cunning and from your own foolish weakness.”
“ What would you do?”
“ There is a priest without. He will marry you now. I will see you married ere I leave this hall.”
“ Or else?” sneered the man.
“ Or else you never leave this hall alive. Nay, call not for your servants or your dogs! By Saint Paul! I swear to you that this matter lies between us three, and that if any fourth comes at your call you, at least, shall never live to see what comes of it! Speak then, Paul of Shalford! Will you wed this woman now, or will you not?”
Edith was on her feet
