look at you, and be in a passion? You think so, do you?
We shall see. Have you no fear in talking thus, when here
is the king's liegeman come to take us all into custody,
and confiscate our goods and chattels?"

"Nay, Lord Fitzwater," said Sir Ralph, "you wrong me in your report.
My visit is one of courtesy and excuse, not of menace and authority."

"There it is," said the baron: "every one takes a pleasure
in contradicting me. Here is this courteous knight, who has
not opened his mouth three times since he has been in my house
except to take in provision, cuts me short in my story with
a flat denial."

"Oh! I cry you mercy, sir knight," said Matilda; "I did not mark you before.
I am your debtor for no slight favour, and so is my liege lord."

"Her liege lord!" exclaimed the baron, taking large strides
across the chamber.

"Pardon me, gentle lady," said Sir Ralph. "Had I known you
before yesterday, I would have cut off my right hand ere it
should have been raised to do you displeasure.

"Oh sir," said Matilda, "a good man may be forced on an ill office:
but I can distinguish the man from his duty." She presented to him
her hand, which he kissed respectfully, and simultaneously with the
contact thirty-two invisible arrows plunged at once into his heart,
one from every point of the compass of his pericardia.