It was the note of fear that heartened Affonso Henriques. "About
it!" he cried again, though needlessly, for already his
men-at-arms were at grips with the Cardinal's nephews. In a trice
the kicking, biting, swearing pair were overpowered, deprived of
arms, and pinioned. The men looked to their prince for further
orders. In the background Moniz and Nunes witnessed all with
troubled countenances, whilst the Cardinal, beyond the table,
white to the lips, demanded in a quavering voice to know what
violence was intended, implored the Infante to consider, and in
the same breath threatened him with dread consequences of this
affront.

Affonso Henriques, unmoved, pointed through the window to a
stalwart oak that stood before the inn.

"Take them out there, and hang them unshriven," he commanded.

The Cardinal swayed, and almost fell forward. He clutched the
table, speechless with terror for those lads who were as the very
apple of his eye, he who so fearlessly had bared his own breast
to the steel.

The two comely Italian youths were dragged out writhing in their
captors' hands.

At last the half-swooning legate found his voice. "Lord Prince,"
he gasped. "Lord Prince . . . you cannot do this infamy! You
cannot! I warn you that . . . that. . ." The threat perished
unuttered, slain by mounting terror. "Mercy! Have mercy, lord! as