“You know Paul de la Fosse of Shalford?”
“You mean the small man with the twisted back?”
“He is no smaller than yourself, Nigel, and as to his back there are many folk that I know who would be glad to have his face.”
“Nay, I am no judge of that, and I spoke out of no discourtesy. What of the man?”
“He has flouted me, Nigel, and I would have revenge.”
“What—on that poor twisted creature?”
“I tell you that he has flouted me!”
“But how?”
“I should have thought that a true cavalier would have flown to my aid, withouten all these questions. But I will tell you, since I needs must. Know then that he was one of those who came around me and professed to be my own. Then, merely because he thought that there were others who were as dear to me as himself he left me, and now he pays court to Maude Twynham, the little freckle-faced hussy in his village.”
“But how has this hurt you, since he was no man of thine?”