“I bring two letters for my lord.”
“From whom are they, fellow?”
“They were given me for my lord by the Regent and Governor of New Carthage.”
“And who is the Regent and Governor of New Carthage?”
“Elissa, my lord, daughter of Hannibal, the Commander-in-Chief and Governor-General in Iberia.”
“Elissa, thou knave, thou liest, by Baal Hammon. Why, from all reports she is but a girl. How old is she?”
“I do not know the Regent’s age, my lord.”
“And are both these letters from this precious Regent?”
“I know not, my lord.”
“Wilt answer me this at once, or for all thy fine clothes I will have thee ducked in the water alongside. Was it by the orders of this quean of a girl that those booms were thrown across the harbour mouths?”