"Where are the lovers of yesterday?" Noel said mockingly as he
slowly descended the steps to join them.
There was a red rage in Villon's heart, but he bridled it as he
turned upon the interloper contemptuously.
"Your pink and white lady-bird," he said to Katherine, and then
waving his hand at Noel with a gesture of disdain and dismissal,
chanted at him:
"Lady-bird, lady-bird, fly away home."
Noel's pink face flushed a poppy red and his white hand went to his
sword hilt. There was courage in the foppish substance, and he would
clearly have rejoiced to try his chance in a passage-at-arms.
"My lord," he said, "I will measure word and sword with you at any
season, but now I seek promised speech with this lady."
Villon laughed at his menace.
"While I have better business in hand, you shall know only the
smooth of my tongue and the flat of my falchion. Compass your
swelling heart lest you play the lion before a lady."
The two men eyed each other like angry dogs, eager to spring at each
other's throats. Katherine dropped her restraining hand on Villon's
arm.
"My lord," she whispered, "he has importuned me for audience.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181