第90章

``Sir，andmostreverendfather，’’answeredMalvoisin，readily，``ourbrotherherepresenthathalreadysworntothetruthofhisaccusationinthehandofthegoodKnightConradedeMont-Fitchet；

andotherwiseheoughtnottobesworn，seeingthathisadversaryisanunbeliever，andmaytakenooath。’’

Thisexplanationwassatisfactory，toAlbert’sgreatjoy；forthewilyknighthadforeseenthegreatdifficulty，orratherimpossibility，ofprevailinguponBriandeBois-Guilberttotakesuchanoathbeforetheassembly，andhadinventedthisexcusetoescapethenecessityofhisdoingso。

TheGrandMaster，havingallowedtheapologyofAlbertMalvoisin，commandedtheheraldtostandforthanddohisdevoir。Thetrumpetsthenagainflourished，andaherald，steppingforward，proclaimedaloud，——``Oyez，oyez，oyez——HerestandeththegoodKnight，SirBriandeBois-Guilbert，readytodobattlewithanyknightoffreeblood，whowillsustainthequarrelallowedandallottedtotheJewessRebecca，totrybychampion，inrespectoflawfulessoineofherownbody；andtosuchchampionthereverendandvalorousGrandMasterherepresentallowsafairfield，andequalpartitionofsunandwind，andwhateverelseappertainstoafaircombat。’’Thetrumpetsagainsounded，andtherewasadeadpauseofmanyminutes。

``Nochampionappearsfortheappellant，’’saidtheGrandMaster。``Go，herald，andaskherwhethersheexpectsanyonetodobattleforherinthishercause。’’TheheraldwenttothechairinwhichRebeccawasseated，andBois-Guilbertsuddenlyturninghishorse’sheadtowardthatendofthelists，inspiteofhintsoneithersidefromMalvoisinandMont-Fitchet，wasbythesideofRebecca’schairassoonastheherald。

``Isthisregular，andaccordingtothelawofcombat?’’saidMalvoisin，lookingtotheGrandMaster。

``AlbertdeMalvoisin，itis，’’answeredBeaumanoir；

``forinthisappealtothejudgmentofGod，wemaynotprohibitpartiesfromhavingthatcommunicationwitheachother，whichmaybesttendtobringforththetruthofthequarrel。’’

Inthemeantime，theheraldspoketoRebeccaintheseterms：——``Damsel，theHonourableandReverendtheGrandMasterdemandsofthee，ifthouartpreparedwithachampiontodobattlethisdayinthybehalf，orifthoudostyieldtheeasonejustlycondemnedtoadeserveddoom?’’

``SaytotheGrandMaster，’’repliedRebecca，``thatImaintainmyinnocence，anddonotyieldmeasjustlycondemned，lestIbecomeguiltyofmineownblood。Saytohim，thatIchallengesuchdelayashisformswillpermit，toseeifGod，whoseopportunityisinman’sextremity，willraisemeupadeliverer；andwhensuchuttermostspaceispassed，mayHisholywillbedone！’’TheheraldretiredtocarrythisanswertotheGrandMaster。

``Godforbid，’’saidLucasBeaumanoir，``thatJeworPaganshouldimpeachusofinjustice！——

Untiltheshadowsbecastfromthewesttotheeastward，willwewaittoseeifachampionshallappearforthisunfortunatewoman。Whenthedayissofarpassed，letherpreparefordeath。’’

TheheraldcommunicatedthewordsoftheGrandMastertoRebecca，whobowedherheadsubmissively，foldedherarms，and，lookinguptowardsheaven，seemedtoexpectthataidfromabovewhichshecouldscarcepromiseherselffromman。Duringthisawfulpause，thevoiceofBois-Guilbertbrokeuponherear——itwasbutawhisper，yetitstartledhermorethanthesummonsoftheheraldhadappearedtodo。

``Rebecca，’’saidtheTemplar，``dostthouhearme?’’

``Ihavenoportioninthee，cruel，hard-heartedman，’’saidtheunfortunatemaiden。

``Ay，butdostthouunderstandmywords?’’

saidtheTemplar；``forthesoundofmyvoiceisfrightfulinmineownears。Iscarceknowonwhatgroundwestand，orforwhatpurposetheyhavebroughtushither——Thislistedspace——thatchair——thesefaggots——Iknowtheirpurpose，andyetitappearstomelikesomethingunreal——thefearfulpictureofavision，whichappalsmysensewithhideousfantasies，butconvincesnotmyreason。’’

``Mymindandsenseskeeptouchandtime，’’

answeredRebecca，``andtellmealikethatthesefaggotsaredestinedtoco