Calling up his courage the gallant rose at last and moved across the room.

All unversed in tavern ways was the magnificent Gonzaga, and he who at court, in ballroom or in antechamber, was a very mirror of all the graces of a courtier, felt awkward here and ill at ease.
At length, summoning his wits to his aid: "Good sir," said he, with some timidity, "will you do me the honour to share a flagon with me ?" The ruffian's eye, which but a moment back had looked vacuous and melancholy, now quickened until it seemed ablaze.

He raised his bloodshot orbs and boldly encountered Gonzaga's uneasy glance.

His lips fell apart with an anticipatory smack, his back stiffened, and his head was raised until his chin took on so haughty a tilt that Gonzaga feared his proffered hospitality was on the point of suffering a scornful rejection.
"Will I share a flagon ?" gasped the fellow, as, being the sinner that he was and knew himself to be, he might have gasped: "Will I go to Heaven ?" "Will I--will I---- ?" He paused, and pursed his lips.

His eyebrows were puckered and his expression grew mighty cunning as again he took stock of this pretty fellow who offered flagons of wine to down-at-heel adventurers like himself.