The Earl gazed in her face for a minute with a keen and searching glance, then turned his look once more upon the corpse, took a step or two nearer, and examined the features attentively.
"Give me the lamp," he said; and taking it from her hand, he bent down his own head, and seemed to scan every lineament, as if to fix them on his mind for ever. But his thoughts were in reality turning to the past, not the future; and raising himself to his full height again; he added, aloud, "I have seen that face before, though where I cannot tell. The memory will return, however. How came he here?--Who brought him here to die?"
"Those who took him hence to slay," answered Kate Greenly.
"Didst thou ever see him before that day?" demanded the Earl.
"Twice," was the reply.
"Hark! there is the curfew," exclaimed the Earl. "I must away."
"Stay till the priest comes!" cried Kate, eagerly. "He will be here ere long."
"I cannot," answered Alured de Ashby; "I am expected at the castle even now. But fear not that I will forget this business. I will find out the truth, even if I have to cut it from the hearts of those that would conceal it; and I will be calm, too--tranquil, and calm, and cautious."
"Go, then!" said Kate. "Yet tell me--But no, you will not dream of it!--You have no thought of meeting in arms an innocent and blameless man upon a false and unholy charge? Promise me--promise me!"
"I will make no promise!" answered the Earl. "You seem to feel some deep interest in this Monthermer?"