“To Sir Robert Darcy, the Grand Prior of England,” answered Richard.
A murmur of incredulous amazement was heard.
“The purport?” continued Edward.
“That, my Lord, it consorts not with my duty to tell.”
“Look here, Richard,” interposed Gilbert of Gloucester, “this is an unlikely tale. You can have no cause for secresy, save in connection with these brothers; and if you will point to some way of clearing yourself of being art and part in this foul act of murder, you may be sent scot free from the camp; but if you wilfully maintain this denial, what can we do but treat you as a traitor? No obstinacy! What can a lad like you have to say to good old Sir Robert Darcy, that all the world might not know?”
“My Lord of Gloucester,” said Richard, “I am bound in honour not to reveal the matters between me and Sir Robert; I can only declare on the faith of a Christian gentleman that I have neither had, nor attempted to have, any dealings with either of my brothers, Guy or Simon; and if any man says I have, I will prove his falsehood on his body.” And Richard flung down his glove before the Prince.
At the same moment Hamlyn de Valence sprang forward.
“Then, Richard de Montfort, I take up the gage. I give thee the lie in thy throat, and will prove on thy body that thou art a man-sworn traitor, in league with thy false brethren.”
“I commit me to the judgment of God,” said Richard, looking upwards.
“My Lord,” said Hamlyn, “have we your permission to fight out the matter?”