Mr. Barker bent down his head on one side, to signify that he was absorbed in attention to her news; and then drawing himself up once more, lifted his greasy hat high in air, bowed to the very floor, and broke forth: "Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors: A man of war, and eke a man of peace That is, if you come peaceful; and if not, Have we not Hiren here?

Nicholas was talking away very rapidly to the half-dozen grave and reverend signiors, they punctuating his discourse with occasional grunts and a well-nigh continuous coughing.