‘Trays again! The devil is in you, Raphael!’
‘I always thought he was,’ answered Raphael, sweeping up the gold pieces....
‘When will that old witch be back?’
‘When she has read through your letter and Hypatia’s answer.’
‘Read them?’
‘Of course. You don’t fancy she is going to be fool enough to carry a message without knowing what it is? Don’t be angry; she won’t tell. She would give one of those two grave-lights there, which she calls her eyes, to see the thing prosper.’
‘Why?’
‘Your excellency will know when the letter comes. Here she is; I hear steps in the cloister. Now, one bet before they enter. I give you two to one she asks you to turn pagan.’
‘What in? Negro-boys?’
‘Anything you like.’