A burst of laughter followed the communication of his errand.
"And what like is the Nubian slave who comes ambassador on such an errand from the Soldan ?--a negro, De Neville, is he not ?" said a female voice, easily recognized for that of Berengaria.

"A negro, is he not, De Neville, with black skin, a head curled like a ram's, a flat nose, and blubber lips--ha, worthy Sir Henry ?" "Let not your Grace forget the shin-bones," said another voice, "bent outwards like the edge of a Saracen scimitar." "Rather like the bow of a Cupid, since he comes upon a lover's errand," said the Queen.--"Gentle Neville, thou art ever prompt to pleasure us poor women, who have so little to pass away our idle moments.

We must see this messenger of love.

Turks and Moors have I seen many, but negro never." "I am created to obey your Grace's commands, so you will bear me out with my Sovereign for doing so," answered the debonair knight.

"Yet, let me assure your Grace you will see something different from what you expect." "So much the better--uglier yet than our imaginations can fancy, yet the chosen love-messenger of this gallant Soldan!" "Gracious madam," said the Lady Calista, "may I implore you would permit the good knight to carry this messenger straight to the Lady Edith, to whom his credentials are addressed?
We have already escaped hardly for such a frolic." "Escaped ?" repeated the Queen scornfully.