Then Hugh sat himself down on the altar rail, placing the table in front of him and said: "Say on.

I'll write, since you cannot." Now Nicholas, having before his glazing eyes the vision of imminent judgment, briefly but clearly told all the truth at last.

He told how he had drugged Red Eve, giving the name of the bane which he mixed in the milk she drank.

He told how when her mind was sleeping, though her body was awake, none knowing the wickedness that had been wrought save he and Acour, and least of all her father, they had led her to the altar like a lamb to the slaughter, and there married her to the man she hated.

He told how, although he had fled from England to save his life, Acour had never ceased to desire her and to plot to get her into his power, any more than he had ceased to fear Hugh's vengeance.