midnight
Then the mourners marched back to the manor across the Middle Marsh and sought their beds in a sad silence . Shortly after daybreak they were called from them again by the news that those who had followed Hugh de Cressi had returned . Quickly they rose , thinking that these came back with tidings of accomplished vengeance , to find themselves face to face with seven starved and miserable men who , all their horses being dead , had walked hither from Dunwich . The wretched story was learned at length , and then followed that violent scene , which has been told already , when Acour cursed his followers as cowards , and Clavering , sobered perhaps by the sadness of the midnight burial or by the memory of Arnold 's words , reproved him . Lastly , stung by the taunts that were heaped upon them , Sir Pierre de la Roche gave Hugh 's message -- that if they lifted hand against his love or his House he would kill them like ravening wolves , `` which I think he certainly will do , for none can conquer him and his henchman , '' he added shortly . Then Sir John 's rage flared up again like fire when fresh fuel is thrown on ashes . He cursed Hugh and Grey Dick ; he cursed his daughter ; he even cursed Acour and asked for the second time how it came about that he who had brought all this trouble on him was given the evil name of traitor .