But Master Foster made no shift to move; but stood instead beside Galliard, though in apparent hesitation.
"I should like a word with you ere I go," he said at length.

Then turning and perceiving the landlord standing by the door in an attitude of eloquent waiting: "Take yourself off," he cried to him.

"Crush me, may not one gentleman say a word to another without being forced to speak into your inquisitive ears as well?
You will forgive my heat, madam, but, God a'mercy, that greasy rascal tries me sorely." "Now, sir," he resumed, when the host was gone.

"I stand thus: I have lost to you to-day a sum of money which, though some might account considerable, is in itself no more than a trifle.
"I am, however, greatly exercised at the loss of certain trinkets which have to me a peculiar value, and which, to be frank, I staked in a moment of desperation.

I had hoped, sir, to retrieve my losses o'er a friendly main this evening, for I have still to stake a coach and four horses--as noble a set of beasts as you'll find in England, aye rat me.