'No,' said Galeazzo, 'nor is it conceivable that my old friend and reprover should condescend to that meaner scourge. Jesu! for one of his learning and condition to incur the fate of the common lampooner. Why, I mind me how one was invited to a ragout minced of his own tongue.'
'Yes, Illustrious.'
'And another to having his couplets scored in steel on the soles of his feet.'
'Yes, Illustrious.'
'And yet another to boiling eggs under his arm-pits, since he was clever at hatching those winged epigrams'—he turned smoothly again to the tutor—'but not clever, as thou art, at reforming constitutions.'
He fell back, with a sleek and hateful smile; then, sighing suddenly, advanced his body again.
'I am troubled, Montano, I am troubled, and, since you chance to be here——'
He yielded the explanation to Lascaris.
'I weary of relating. Tell him of my symptoms, thou'—and he sunk once more into his cushions.
The Greek diagnosed, his shifty eyes refusing to encounter the hard inquisition of the other's:—