See, at the centre gate! Now what in the name of heaven is this ?" As he spoke the door which faced them opened and a singular procession filed out.

First came two dozen footmen, walking in pairs, all carrying halberds, and clad in the same maroon-coloured liveries.

After them a huge bearded man, with his tunic off, and the sleeves of his coarse shirt rolled up over his elbows, strode along with a great axe over his left shoulder.

Behind him, a priest with an open missal pattered forth prayers, and in his shadow was a woman, clad in black, her neck bared, and a black shawl cast over her head and drooping in front of her bowed face.

Within grip of her walked a tall, thin, fierce-faced man, with harsh red features, and a great jutting nose.