“Spoken like the very fool of a knight!” quoth Jocelyn. “So now will I show thee how by the wit of a brave and noble lady we may yet 'scape the hangman. Hearken in thine ear!”
But, when Jocelyn had told him all and shown money and sleeping-charm, Sir Pertinax grew thoughtful, sighing deep and oft, yet speaking not, wherefore the Duke questioned him.
“Good gossip, gasp not!” quoth he. “How think'st thou of prison-breaking now—expound!”
“Why, sir, I think when all do charmed and spellbound
snore,
Then will we shrewdly choke them that they wake
no more!”
“Nay, Pertinax, here shall be no need of choking, forsooth!” Sir Pertinax bowed chin on fist and sighed again.
“Pertinax, prithee puff not! Yet, an puff ye will, pronounce me then the why and wherefore of thy puffing.”
“Lord, here is neither gasp nor puff, here is honest sighing. I can sigh as well as another.”
“Since when hast learned this so tender art, my Pertinax?”
“And I do sigh by reason of memory.”
“As what, Pertinax?”