“Bah! who shall be brave enough to touch the duke’s favorite?”
And he imitated the duke, and turned away from the group of nobles, not noticing their angry looks and gestures.
At this moment an aged lord appeared at the door, and violently thrust himself into the hall, though the servants tried all they could to hold him back. His hair was white, his limbs trembling—his was another family the duke had dishonored.
The guests started with surprise.
“I will see the duke, and even here blazon forth his crimes.”
“I will see the duke—and even here blazon forth his crimes,” exclaimed the fool, mockingly, and, as well as he could, imitating the grand posture of the aged noble.
“Poor wretch!”—— Then, turning to the duke, the lord again exclaimed that he spoke in the name of his dishonored family, and called for justice.
“Justice—justice!” continued the fool.
“Let him be arrested,” said the duke, as he frowned upon this new comer.
“He is mad,” said the fool, solemnly.