s they proceeded towards the bear-pit, having some distance to go, good-humour and benevolence began to rise up in the heart of Sir Godfrey.
“This is a great thing!” he said to Miss Elaine. “Ha! an important and joyful occurrence. The news of it will fly far.”
“Yes,” the young lady replied, but without enthusiasm. “The cattle will be safe now.”
“The cattle, child! my Burgundy! Think of that!”
“Yes, papa.”
“The people will come,” continued the Baron, “from all sides to-morrow—why, it’s to-morrow now!” he cried. “From all sides they will come to my house to see my Dragon. And I shall permit them to see him. They shall see him cooked alive, if they wish. It is a very proper curiosity. The brute had a wide reputation.”
To hear himself spoken of in the past tense, as we speak of the dead, was not pleasant to Sir Francis, walking behind Geoffrey on all fours.
“I shall send for Father Anselm and his monks,” the Baron went on.