D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 72: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A New Bidder. 63 provoked more raillery than she had freely given. Bae: widgeon that I am, I was not to imagine that!’ | ‘Business on my side—pure pleasure on yours.” Elizor had the wit to pass a compliment, but he had | the sense not to attempt a sally. The remembrance of the staves of the serving men without deterred him. Never would he lose a business gain for a jest, however good. “Hem! It is late for ” He was going to say “a great lady,” but he corrected himself and filled the ellipse with “business.” “I am going to offer ; “The ten moidores alluded to——’” “Yes, Master Pedro. I put down a question before I do the coin, which are here.” She held up a satchel, also attached to that comprehensive chatelaine, the substitute for pockets. ‘Can you let your house to me for a term?” “Eh, what?” faltered he. “Let your inn tome. That will not disturb any custo- mers, as far as I can see.”’ “T_J—but such a poor place—such a fine pa- troness “A sorry inn may shelter a great head,” said she, gravely, for if she knew him to be a Jew she must have believed him a converted one—for few of the orthodox had the inquisition left in Spain. “Nay, I speak gen- erally ” seeing him bite his lip. “The inn for my use and the ten gold pieces for yours.” “T have no objections, but—this may interfere with ——” he pointed to D’Artagnan’s intimation. “Oh, the expected caller on the Caballero de Gannarta? On the last of February? No, it will not conflict with my arrangements.” “He may come—both may come—it is the only way I know of for two persons to meet!” “You positively overflow with wit—I know where to send one to the next court wishing a jester! Lord know- eth that the courts are all sad and should not have abol- ished that officer! If they are gentlemen they will no* cross a lady « ’ CONNIE OOS (C(O) Ll