FORE:All Peasmarsh went to the Fair. It was a recognised holiday. All farm work��except the most barely necessary��was put aside, and the ploughman and dairymaid rollicked with their betters. The road across Boarzell was dark with them, coming from all quarters��Playden, Iden, Beckley, Northiam, Bodiam��Old Turk's Farm, Baron's Grange, Corkwood, Kitchenhour��even from Blackbrook and Ethnam on the Kentish border."My Lord De Boteler," said Edith, stepping forward, and looking full at the baron. "It is unlawful to send armed men, in the open day, without warrant, save your own will, to attack the house of a faithful vassal and set his life in jeopardy. Had you sent a messenger in peace, Edith Holgrave would have obeyed the mandate. There was little need of all this tumult to take an aged woman, whom He knoweth is innocent, and whom you, Lord of Sudley, in your own breast����"

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