It is not fitting that this plotter should practise devilish devices
upon our assembly."
At a signal from their chief the soldiers surrounded him; but the
hermit, whose features were still hidden by the cowl, took hold of the
foremost, and with an incredible strength, dashed him to the ground. The
others drew back intimidated.
"Treason, my lord, treason!" cried the dean; "you behold him even in
your presence exercising forbidden arts. Away with him to the dungeon!
Guards, do your office."
"Miscreant, beware!" said the hermit. De Whalley, though bold and
generally undaunted, started back at the sound.
"What, this lawless intromission to our face, and in our council too?"
cried the baron. "Seize that hooded kite, knaves, or I will hang every
one o' ye on the Furca ere the sun be two hours older!"
Roger de Lacy, in a threatening attitude, approached the guards, who now
environed the hermit, using more caution than before. Suddenly they
rushed upon him, and he was pinioned ere he could make the least
resistance.
At this moment, so anxiously hoped for and expected by the dean, the
latter pushed towards him.
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