"
There was something more than usually impressive in his manner. Moseley
took the loaf as requested; and the gaoler, as if the object before him
were beneath suspicion, exclaimed with a knowing look--
"Had I not brought the manchet myself, and watched thee narrowily, I
should have guessed thou hadst crammed some secret message therein to
the camp. But I defy thee, or any of thy batch, to cheat old Gabriel,
the rogue's butler!"
"Prithee, search," said Captain Moseley, drawing the loaf from his
pocket; "thou mayest, peradventure, find treachery in a toothmark, for
o' my troth they be legibly written."
"Nay," said Gabriel, with great self-importance, "the knave's jaws will
score no ciphers. I had as lief interpret pot-hooks and ladles."
The captain again thrusting it beneath his belt, promised to show his
commanders with what coarse fare and severity the prisoners were
treated.
"Wilt thou that I intercede for thee before the Countess?" he continued;
"if so be that she would remit thee of this durance."
In a voice of thunder spake the incorrigible Gideon--
"Intercede!--I would as lief pray to the saints they should intercede
with the Virgin Mary.
Pages:
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696