"There's no fast on the drink!" he said with meaning. "Nor is there better wine between here and Salamanca!"
The duke regarded his host out of half-shut watery eyes.
"My own choice is Chianti!"
"A difference of five years in purgatory!"
Thereupon the duke blew the froth of his wine in the Abbot's face.
"Purgatory!—A mere figure of speech!"
The Abbot emptied his tankard.
"The figures of speech are the pillars of the Church!"
He beckoned to the custodian.