What sayeth our learned Fleming--"an mulier--" but what in the name of the devil have we here ?' Our companion's ejaculation was called forth by a noise as of a slight scuffle outside the door, with a smothered 'Oh, sir!' and 'What will the maids think ?' The contest was terminated by the door being opened, and Dame Hobson re-entering the room with her face in a glow, and a slim young man dressed in the height of fashion at her heels.
'I am sure, good gentlemen,' said she, 'that ye will not object to this young nobleman drinking his wine in the same room with ye, since all the others are filled with the townsfolk and commonalty.' 'Faith! I must needs be mine own usher,' said the stranger, sticking his gold-laced cap under his left arm and laying his hand upon his heart, while he bowed until his forehead nearly struck the edge of the table.
'Your very humble servant, gentlemen, Sir Gervas Jerome, knight banneret of his Majesty's county of Surrey, and at one time custos rotulorum of the district of Beacham Ford.' 'Welcome, sir,' quoth Reuben, with a merry twinkle in his eye.

'You have before you Don Decimo Saxon of the Spanish nobility, together with Sir Micah Clarke and Sir Reuben Lockarby, both of his Majesty's county of Hampshire.' 'Proud and glad to meet ye, gentlemen!' cried the newcomer, with a flourish.

'But what is this upon the table?
Alicant?
Fie, fie, it is a drink for boys.

Let us have some good sack with plenty of body in it.
Claret for youth, say I, sack for maturity, and strong waters in old age.

Fly, my sweetest, move those dainty feet of thine, for egad! my throat is like leather.