The leader strode up to the altar; and placing himself opposite to the abbot,
and between the earl and Matilda, in such a manner that the four together
seemed to stand on the four points of a diamond, exclaimed, "In the name
of King Henry, I forbid the ceremony, and attach Robert Earl of Huntingdon as
a traitor!" and at the same time he held his drawn sword between the lovers,
as if to emblem that royal authority which laid its temporal ban upon
their contract. The earl drew his own sword instantly, and struck down
the interposing weapon; then clasped his left arm round Matilda, who sprang
into his embrace, and held his sword before her with his right hand.
His yeomen ranged themselves at his side, and stood with their swords drawn,
still and prepared, like men determined to die in his defence.
The soldiers, confident in superiority of numbers, paused. The abbot took
advantage of the pause to introduce a word of exhortation. "My children,"
said he, "if you are going to cut each other's throats, I entreat you,
in the name of peace and charity, to do it out of the chapel."
"Sweet Matilda," said the earl, "did you give your love to
the Earl of Huntingdon, whose lands touch the Ouse and the Trent,
or to Robert Fitz-Ooth, the son of his mother?"
"Neither to the earl nor his earldom," answered Matilda firmly,
"but to Robert Fitz-Ooth and his love.
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