"Many a time," I answered, quite seriously, though I was inwardly laughing, and could not for the life of me remember any especial favour which she had paid him in her speech. But I have ever held that a bold lover hath the best chance, and knowing that boldness depends upon assurance of favour, I set about giving it to Sir Humphrey, even at some small expense of truth.
"When, when, Harry?"
"Oh, many a time, Sir Humphrey."
"But what? I pray thee, tell me what she said, Harry."
"I have not charged my mind, lad."
"But think of something. I pray thee, think of something, Harry." He looked at me with such exceeding wistfulness that I was forced to cudgel my brains for something which, having a slight savour of truth, might be seasoned to pungency at fancy. "Often have I heard her say that she liked a fair man," I replied, and indeed I had, and believed her to have said it because I was dark, and seemingly inattentive to some new grace of hers as to the tying of her hair or fastening of her kerchief.
"Did she indeed say that, Harry, and do you think she had me in mind?" cried Sir Humphrey.
"Are you not a fair man?"
"Yes, yes, I am a fair man, am I not, Harry? What else? Sure you have heard her say more than that."
"I have heard her say she liked a hearty laugh, and one who counted not costs when his mind were set on aught, but rode straight for it though all the bars were up."