As he reached it the dwarf jester made a ceremonious obeisance and handed him a glove which he had dropped as he came forward.

As he took it he felt that it contained a letter, which made a slight sound when his hand crumpled it inside the glove.

Annoyed by the fool's persistence, Don John's eyes hardened as he looked at the crooked face, and almost imperceptibly he shook his head.

But the dwarf was as grave as he, and slightly bent his own, clasping his hands in a gesture of supplication.
Don John reflected that the matter must be one of importance this time, as Adonis would not otherwise have incurred the risk of passing the letter to him under the eyes of the King and the whole court.
Then followed the long and tedious procession of the court past the royal pair, who remained seated, while all the rest stood up, including Don John himself, to whom a master of ceremonies presented the persons unknown to him, and who were by far the more numerous.

To the men, old and young, great or insignificant, he gave his hand with frank cordiality.