"
Here the other bellowed out into a loud laugh, pointing to Gregory's
back, then surveying himself, and evidently with congratulation at his
own more imaginary prepossessing appearance.
"Sir knight," said the black dwarf, "what errand comes to our mighty
prince?"
"Tut! if it be his infernal kingship ye mean, I bear not messages to one
of his quality."
"Thee brings writing in thy fist. Go to!"
"From a woman, fallen in love wi' thee, belike. Well, quit me o' woman's
favours, say I, if this be of 'em."
"Well-a-day, sir page," cried the grinning Ethiop, whose teeth looked
like a double row of pearls set in a border of carnelian, "my mistress
be a queen: I do rub the dust on thy ugly nose if that red tongue wag
more, for make bad speech of her. Go to, clown!"
"Ill betide thee for a blackamoor ape," said Gregory, his courage waxing
apace when his fears of the supernatural began to subside; "and
wherefore? Look thee, Mahound, though my mistress sent me to such a
lady-bird as thou art, Master Oliver shall know on't. Thou hast won her
with spells and foul necromancie; but I've commandment from him to catch
all that be poaching on his lands.
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