'Chut, you are jealous!' he said, laughing.
'And should be played very moderately.'
'Chut,' he said again, 'you are jealous! Is he not, Rotha? He is jealous.'
My lady looked at me laughing.
'I think he is a little,' she said. 'You must acknowledge, Martin,' she continued, pleasantly, 'that the Waldgrave has managed very well?'
I must have assented, however loth; but he saved me the trouble. He did not want to hear my opinion.
'Very well?' he exclaimed, with a laugh of pleasure; 'I should think I have. Why, I have so brightened up your old serving-men that they make quite a tolerable garrison--mount guard, relieve, give the word and all, like so many Swedes. Oh, I can tell you a little briskness and a few new fashions do no harm. But now,' he continued, complacently, 'since you are so clever, my friend, where is the risk?'
'If it becomes known in the town,' I said, 'that the cannon are dummies----'
'It is not known,' he answered peremptorily.
'Still, under the circumstances,' I persisted, 'I should with submission have imposed terms less stringent. Especially I should not have detained Master Hofman, my lord, who is a timid man, making for peace. He has influence. Shut up here he cannot use it.'