"Lion-driver," she said, at length, "ye do not admire a maid in a
man's jerkin?"
The moon was now up; and they were only waiting to repose the
wearied horses. By the moon's light, the still penitent but now
well-fed Richard beheld her looking somewhat coquettishly down upon
him.
"Madam"--he stammered, surprised at this new turn in her manners.
"Nay," she interrupted, "it skills not to deny; Joanna hath told
me, but come, Sir Lion-driver, look at me--am I so homely--come!"
And she made bright eyes at him.
"Ye are something smallish, indeed"--began Dick.
And here again she interrupted him, this time with a ringing peal
of laughter that completed his confusion and surprise.
"Smallish!" she cried. "Nay, now, be honest as ye are bold; I am a
dwarf, or little better; but for all that--come, tell me!--for all
that, passably fair to look upon; is't not so?"
"Nay, madam, exceedingly fair," said the distressed knight,
pitifully trying to seem easy.
"And a man would be right glad to wed me?" she pursued.
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