Although their nerves were torn by the unnatural darkness and the apparition that followed it, which all saw, yet none quite believed that they had seen, the multitude shouted for the combat to proceed.
Once more Hugh laid his lance in rest, thinking that Cattrina was there, although he could not see him.
Then the third trumpet rang out--in that silence it sounded like the blast of doom--and Hugh spurred his horse forward a little way, but halted, for he could perceive no foe advancing against him.

He stared about him, and at last in a rage threw his lance to a squire, and, turning his horse, galloped to the tribune.

There he pulled it to his haunches and shouted out in a great voice: "Where is Cattrina?
Am I to be fooled, who appear here as the champion of the King of England?
Where is Cattrina?
Produce Cattrina that I may slay him or be slain, or, Chivalry of Venice, be forever shamed!" The Doge rose, uttering swift commands, and heralds ran here and there.
Knights and captains searched the pavilions and every other place where a mounted man might hide.

But they never found Cattrina, and, returning at length, confessed as much with bowed heads.
The Doge, maddened by this ignominy, seized the great gold chain upon his beast and burst it in two.
"Cattrina has fled!" he shouted.

"Or Satan himself has carried him away! At the least let his name be erased from the Golden Book of Venice, and until he prove himself innocent, let no noble of Venice stretch out to him the hand of fellowship.