"Ay, ay. We all heard ye," said Reicht, with vast indifference.
"Then hear me!" said Denys, solemnly.
They all went round like things on wheels, and fastened their eyes on him.
"Ay, let us hear what the man says," urged the hostess. "Men are fine fellows; with their great hoarse voices."
"Mistress Reicht," said Denys, with great dignity and ceremony, indeed so great as to verge on the absurd, "you are turned off. If on a slight acquaintance I might advise, I'd say, since you are a servant no more, be a mistress, a queen."
"Easier said than done," replied Reicht bluntly.
"Not a jot. You see here one who is a man, though but half an arbalestrier, owing to that devilish Englishman's arrow, in whose carcass I have, however, left a like token, which is a comfort. I have twenty gold pieces" (he showed them) "and a stout arm. In another week or so I shall have twain. Marriage is not a habit of mine: but I capitulate to so many virtues. You are beautiful, good hearted, and outspoken, and above all, you take the part of my she-comrade. Be then an arbalestriesse!"
"And what the dickens is that?" inquired Reicht.
"I mean, be the wife, mistress, and queen, of Denys of Burgundy here present!"
A dead silence fell on all.