"'Tis very true," the other answered. "Ay, the friend of many princes. Yet 'twould be best for you, my cock o' the walk, if you too were thinking of the princes whom you know. Here is De Beaurepaire come post-haste to Basle."
"De Beaurepaire here!" Humphrey exclaimed.
"Ay, and seeking for you everywhere. In my lady's chamber, beating on your door and cursing you loudly for being a seek-your-bed; making poursuivants of us to ferret you out, while you, cadédis! are strolling about the streets making odes to the moon, I do suppose, or dreaming of the fair Jacquette."
"Silence, brigand."
"Silence is best. You will hear enough when De Beaurepaire lets loose his tongue on you."
"Bah! I am not his servant nor in his pay as you are. I ride as his friend and help, not as his varlet. Yet, since he is here, I would see him. There is no man in all the world on whom I would more willingly set eyes" ("for his own good," Humphrey added to himself). Then he said aloud, "Now tell me where he is. Lead me to him."
"'Tis that which I am here to do," Fleur de Mai said, "though, in doing it, I bid you observe I obey him, not you. Come, therefore."
"Where is he, I say?" Humphrey exclaimed again, stamping his foot.
"At the stables, looking to his horse, as a good soldier should. Ciel! did you not hear him bid me find you?"
"I heard you say 'I will tell him,' meaning me I suppose. Well! let us away to the stables, they are close at hand."