"How was it? Did he really give you such an ignominious whipping?"
"Why—"
"He killed two of your men, did he not?"
"I think so."
"If you wish to replace them, I have two Italian bravos, consummate fighting-men, who are quite at your service. You will have to pay them well, but they are sure men."
"We shall see: I won't say no. If not for myself, I may require them for my son-in-law, Comte d'Orbec."
"Whatever they may say, I cannot believe that this Benvenuto cudgelled you personally."
"Who says so?"
"Everybody. Some are indignant, like myself; others laugh, like the king."
"Enough! we have not seen the end of this affair."