I was certain that he said 'Wait,' although I was not learned in lip-reading, and, remembering that he had promised to try to save me from Sir Claudius, instantly resolved to delay my progress as much as possible. For that purpose I stumbled over my dress, and fell upon my knees, in spite of my companion's efforts to keep me up. This occasioned a few moments' delay, for when I was on my feet again I clung to the arm on which I leaned, whispering that I felt faint. 'Water! Fetch water!' the order flew from lips to lips, and no one seemed to be able to carry it out, until a silver tankard of cold water was brought to me by the lad Saul. Bowing low, as he offered it to me, he said in my ear-- 'You have been deceived. Make delay. Do not say the words. Your deliverers are coming. They are on the way.' The next moment a blow from the bridegroom's fist upon the poor lad's ear laid him senseless on the floor. 'How dare he speak to my bride! The varlet!' thundered Sir Claudius. But I knelt down in reality now by poor Saul's side, trying to raise his head and open his collar, that he might breathe more freely. They would not permit me to tend him. He was caught up by others and hurried away out of my sight. 'I refuse to marry you now, you cruel man!' I exclaimed. But Sir Claudius merely smiled, and bade my conductor bring me forward. There was a little confusion as the wedding party was being arranged before the Communion table, and I took advantage of it to say, in a low tone, to the old clergyman-- 'I will not marry Sir Claudius. My promise to him was made under compulsion, and therefore it is not binding.' The old man looked bewildered, startled. He had evidently no idea of this, and perhaps he only half heard me, for my voice was weak and low. 'It is all right. It is all right, I say,' cried Sir Claudius sharply. 'Proceed with the ceremony. Take no heed of a maiden's bashfulness.' 'It is not that,' I appealed to every one. 'I cannot----' 'Silence! Silence!' said more than one big, bullying voice from those who aided Sir Claudius, and they closed around me, making so much noise that my voice could not be heard. They were all so absorbed that they did not hear loud shouts and cries outside, nor notice the entrance into the chapel of a little band of well-armed strangers, nor hear the call of 'Sir Claudius! Sir Claudius!' from the yard. Least of all did the bridegroom hear the tumult, for he was exerting himself to smother my remonstrances and compel me to take part in the service.