Man's blood is ever red;
'T was thus his side was crimsoned o'er
When they told me he was dead.

With the last words, she laughed again, more wildly than before, and,
darting into the wood, was soon lost among the gigantic trees.

Some serfs were standing around, but offered no assistance. They seemed
rooted to the ground in terror at the rash act, and crossed themselves
in mute astonishment. At this juncture, while Gilbert was examining the
extent of the wound, and vainly endeavoring to stanch the blood, the
Lady Margaret and the priest appeared at the doorway, having been
attracted by the loud laugh of Gilbert's assailant.

Comprehending in an instant that Gilbert had been wounded, Father Omehr
hastened to support him.

"It is but a trifle, Father," said the youth, anxious to relieve the
evident uneasiness of the old man.

"May God will that it be so!" replied the priest, eagerly removing the
hunting-shirt, and examining the path of the knife. After which, having
carefully replaced the garment, he turned to the serfs who yet lingered
there, inquiring, in a voice of deep indignation:

"Who has dared to do this? Who has been impious enough to draw blood
during the truce of God, upon the threshold of God's sacred temple?"

One of them hastened to reply: