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"I have just said as much to myself," Prosper replied; "but I will do

my best to prevent him, I assure you"

"You are so courteous a defender, fair sir," said Spiridion, "I could

wish you a reed with him Shortly afterwards Spiridion bowed

him to bed For hiht-

shirt; then, lying down, he was asleep in a ale, the noise of it continuous out doors and in Prosper

judged it expedient to have his ar he had heard the sound of rowlocks on the

mere He stripped himself therefore to his doublet and breeches,

heaped his ar his shield and sword over the

foot, and then lay down by his peaceful co and feeding of the lamp

Sleep, however, was miles from him in such a pandemonium of noise The

ailed and screamed, the s volleyed, wainscots creaked,

doors rattled on their locks Sometimes with a shock like a thunder-

clap the body of the storreat house

seeroan; then there would be a lull as if the

spirits of riot had spent themselves In one of these pauses Prosper

was pretty sure he heard a step on the stairs Not at all surprised,

for it was just such a night as he would have chosen, he listened