If you don't want to get run through (you perceive I carry a sword), and have an untimely end put to your career, just keep a civil tongue in your head, and don't slander England.

Now come on!" Hubert laughed and shrugged his shoulders: "Thought is free, however, so I can have my own opinion in spite of everything.

Will you tell me, monsieur, where I can find the lady ?" "You will have it, will you ?" exclaimed Sir Norman, half drawing his sword.

"Don't ask questions, but answer them.

Are you French ?" "Monsieur has guessed it." "How long have you been with your present master ?" "Monsieur, I object to that term," said Hubert, with calm dignity.
"Master is a vulgarism that I dislike; so, in alluding to his lordship, take the trouble to say, patron." Sir Norman laughed.
"With all my heart! How long, then, have you been with your present patron ?" "Not quite two weeks." "I do not like to be impertinently inquisitive in addressing so dignified a gentleman, but perhaps you would not consider it too great a liberty, if I inquired how you became his page ?" "Monsieur shall ask as many questions as he pleases, and it shall not be considered the slightest liberty," said the young gentleman, politely.
"I had been roaming at large about the city and the palace of his majesty--whom may Heaven preserve, and grant a little more wisdom!--in search of a situation; and among that of all nobles of the court, the Earl of Rochester's livery struck me as being the most becoming, and so I concluded to patronize him." "What an honor for his lordship! Since you dislike England so much, however, you will probably soon throw up the situation and, patronize the first foreign ambassador--" "Perhaps! I rather like Whitehall, however.