"Too much, mistress," he replied in no wise abashed, "an it hath displeased you. Too little to please myself."
"Yourself!" she returned, with sudden anger at his persistent gaze. "Some lord's plaything to beat or whip; a toy—"
"And yet a poet who can make rhymes on woman's beauty," he answered with a careless laugh.
"Another courtier!" grumbled Triboulet. "Lacking true wit, fools nowadays essay only compliments to cover their dullness."
With the same air of insolent amusement, the new-comer turned to the throne and its occupant, whom he subjected to an even more deliberate investigation.
"Is it man or manikin, gentle mistress?" he asked, after concluding his examination.
She did not deign to answer, but the offended Triboulet waved his wooden sword vindictively.
"Manikin!" he roared, and sprang with vicious lunges upon the duke's jester, who falling back before the suddenness of the assault, whipped out his weapon in turn, and, laughing, threw himself into an attitude of defense.
"A mortal combat!" cried the cardinal's wit-snapper.
"Charles V and Francis!" exclaimed Caillette, referring to the personal challenge which had once passed between the two great monarchs. "With a throne for the victor!" he added gaily, indicating Triboulet's chair of state.