He looked upon her sourly for a little . `` Ye are fair , '' he said at last , `` and , as they tell me , dowered . How if I offered you a brave marriage , as became your face and parentage ? '' `` My lord duke , '' replied Joanna , `` may it please your grace , I had rather wed with Sir Richard . '' `` How so ? '' he asked , harshly . `` Marry but the man I name to you , and he shall be my lord , and you my lady , before night . For Sir Richard , let me tell you plainly , he will die Sir Richard . '' `` I ask no more of Heaven , my lord , than but to die Sir Richard 's wife , '' returned Joanna . `` Look ye at that , my lord , '' said Gloucester , turning to Lord Foxham . `` Here be a pair for you . The lad , when for good services I gave him his choice of my favour , chose but the grace of an old , drunken shipman . I did warn him freely , but he was stout in his besottedness . ` Here dieth your favour , ' said I ; and he , my lord , with a most assured impertinence , ` Mine be the loss , ' quoth he . It shall be so , by the rood ! '' `` Said he so ? '' cried Alicia . `` Then well said , lion-driver ! '' `` Who is this ? '' asked the duke .
`` A prisoner of Sir XXXXX 's , '' answered Lord Foxham ; `` Mistress Alicia Risingham . ''
Alicia Foxham Gloucester Joanna Richard besottedness impertinence lion-driver night rood