“That’s he, you mean,” said Henry Beauclerk.
“I mean nothing of the kind,” said Rufus. “I mean him. So now, old lampreys!”
“They were not lampreys,” said Henry sulkily; “they were oysters.”
“Yes, yes,” said Matilda. “But what business has he here?”
“Him?” said Rufus doggedly.
“You’d better ask him,” said Stephen, with a sneer. “The chances are he’ll want to know what business you have here.”
“I’m as much an empress as you,” said Matilda, spitefully.
“I know that; which means you’re no empress at all.”
“Look here,” said Henry the Second, “don’t you cheek me, Steevie. She let you have it pretty hot, you know.”