Yah ! down with kings ! I 'm a man of the people ! '' `` You 're a dwarf of the worst description , that 's what you are , '' said Ricardo ; `` and let me catch you , and I 'll flog the life out of you with my riding-whip ! '' The very face of the Dwarf , even seen through rose-coloured spectacles , made him nearly ill . `` Yes , when you can catch me , '' said the Dwarf ; `` but that 's not to-day , nor yet to-morrow . What are you doing here ? Are you an ambassador , maybe come to propose a match for me ? I 'm not proud , I 'll hear you . They say there 's a rather well-looking wench in your parts , the Princess Jaqueline -- '' `` Mention that lady 's name , you villain , '' cried Dick , `` and I 'll cut down your orange-tree ! '' and he wished he had brought the Sword of Sharpness , for you can not prod down a tree with the point of a rapier . `` Fancy her yourself ? '' said the Dwarf , showing his yellow teeth with a detestable grin ; while Ricardo turned quite white with anger , and not knowing how to deal with this insufferable little monster . `` I 'm a widower , I am , '' said the Dwarf , `` though I 'm out of mourning , '' for he wore a dirty clay-coloured Yellow jacket . `` My illustrious consort , the Princess Frutilla , did not behave very nice , and I had to avenge my honour ; in fact , I 'm open to any offers , however humble . Going at an alarming sacrifice ! Come to my box '' -LRB- and he pointed to a filthy clay cottage , all surrounded by thistles , nettles , and black boggy water -RRB- , `` and I 'll talk over your proposals . '' `` Hold your impudent tongue ! '' said Dick . `` The Princess Frutilla was an injured saint ; and as for the lady whom I shall not name in your polluting presence , I am her knight , and I defy you to deadly combat ! ''
We may imagine how glad the princess was when -LRB- disguised as a wasp -RRB- she heard Dick say he was her knight ; not that , XXXXX fact , he had thought of it before .
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