But I chanced to meet his eye as I went within, whereat the rogue deliberately winked, and I could plainly see his shoulders heave.

I knew that he was still chewing the cud of his stale and ancient jest: "The Prince hath a Princess, and she--" I could have disembowelled the villain.

But, after all, he was certainly doing us some service, though in a most provocative and high-handed manner..