“I was informed, indeed, that there was fighting recently on the Slip.”
“No ‘indeed’ about it! A mere brawl. A street fight among drunkards. Is that the kind of fighting you are anxious for?”
“I shall not choose the quarrels if your honor will let me help to settle them.”
“You have a clever way with your tongue, monsieur. But why did you come to me? The Earl of Bellamont is the man of all Yorke whom it is good to fight for at present.”
“True, sir. But I came to you for the simplest of reasons. He will have none of me.”
“Hush, you brute,” he cried to the dog, who had begun to growl again. “So you applied to his Excellency, did you?”
“Assuredly.”
“Assuredly! I like your assuredly and your assurance too! Why him before me?”
“You have just spoken it; because he is the man now.”
“Zounds! This to my face! And asking a favor of me to boot! Back, you brute. Must you fly at everything I point my finger at?”