To which Deleroy mocked in answer:
“Good! I’ll go, my gentle cousin, which it suits me well to do who have certain business of the King’s awaiting me in France. Aye, I’ll go and leave you to settle with this worthy trader who may hold that you have duped him. Do it as you will, except in one fashion, of which you know. Now a word with my cousin Blanche and another at the Palace and I ride for Dover. Farewell, Cousin Aleys. Farewell, worthy merchant for whose loss I should grieve, did I not know that soon you will recoup yourself out of gentle pockets. Mourn not over me over much, either of you, since doubtless ere so very long I shall return.”
Now my blood flamed up and I answered:
“I pray you do not hurry, my lord, lest you should find me waiting for you with a shield and a sword in place of a warrant and a pen.”
He heard and called out, “Fore God, this chapman thinks himself a knight!”
Then with a mocking laugh he went.
CHAPTER VI
MARRIAGE—AND AFTER
Sir Robert and I stood facing each other speechless with rage, both of us. At length he said in a hoarse voice: