"I did but kiss the wench, and this fellow set upon me in the dark."
"Aye, my lord," I replied stoutly, according to the stranger the respect he seemed to command. "A wanton insult to this lady whom I met unprotected in the streets, and saw her safely to her gate. Who she is, or what, I know not."
The two men looked at each other, from the girl to me, then burst into such peals of incredulous laughter as roused my anger again. Even my late foe joined in, but faintly.
"Would either of you, my lords, be pleased to take the matter up?" for I was hot now indeed.
But they only laughed the more. The lady looked much confused.
"Thou art not of Paris?" the taller man asked.
"No, this is my first night in Paris."
"I thought as much. This lady," the tall man continued in a sarcastic tone, "permit me to present you to Mademoiselle Florine, waitress and decoy pigeon for Betrand's wine rooms, where gentlemen sometimes play at dice."
He laughed again, and even the girl could muster up a smile now that the danger had blown over.
"That is true, Mademoiselle?" I asked. She nodded.