To the tipstaves Sir Giles made no observation, and bidding Lupo Vulp hold himself in readiness for a summons, he passed on with his partner to an inner apartment.

On Sir Francis gaining it, he sank into a chair, and was again seized with a fit of coughing that threatened him with annihilation.

When it ceased, he made an effort to commence the conversation, and Sir Giles, who had been pacing to and fro impatiently within the chamber, stopped to listen to him.
"You will wonder what business has brought me hither to-day, Sir Giles," he said; "and I will keep you no longer in suspense.

I have been insulted, Sir Giles--grievously insulted." "By whom ?" demanded the extortioner.
"By Sir Jocelyn Mounchensey," replied Sir Francis, shaking with passion.
"I have received a degrading insult from him to-day, which ought to be washed out with his blood." "What hath he done to you ?" inquired the other.
"I will tell you, Sir Giles.

I chanced to see him in the court-yard of the palace of Whitehall, and there being several gallants nigh at hand, who I thought would take my part--ough! ough! what a plaguey cough I have gotten, to be sure; but 't is all owing to those cursed 'prentices--a murrain seize 'em! Your patience, sweet Sir Giles, I am coming to the point--ough! ough! there it takes me again.