“An ’orse’s father—­an ‘orse’s father!” growled’ Hollock; “I never drink to horses, nor to their fathers either:”  and with this wonderful witticism he declined the pledge.

Essex explained that the toast was Lord Norris, father of the Captain; but the Count refused to understand, and held fiercely, and with damnable iteration, to his jest.

The Earl repeated his explanation several times with no better success.  Norris meanwhile sat swelling with wrath, but said nothing.

Again the Lord Marshal took the same great glass, and emptied it to the young Captain.

Norris, not knowing exactly what course to take, placed the glass at the side of his plate, and glared grimly at Sir William.

Pelham was furious.  Reaching over the table, he shoved the glass towards Norris with an angry gesture.

“Take your glass, Captain Norris,” he cried; “and if you have a mind to jest, seek other companions.  I am not to be trifled with; therefore, I say, pledge me at once.”

“Your Lordship shall not force me to drink more wine than I list,” returned the other.  “It is your pleasure to take advantage of your military rank.  Were we both at home, you would be glad to be my companion.”

Norris was hard beset, and although his language was studiously moderate, it was not surprising that his manner should be somewhat insolent.  The veteran Lord Marshal, on the other hand, had distinguished himself on many battle-fields, but his deportment at this banqueting-table was not much to his credit.  He paused a moment, and Norris, too, held his peace, thinking that his enemy would desist.

It was but for a moment.

“Captain Norris,” cried Pelham, “I bid you pledge me without more ado.  Neither you nor your best friends shall use me as you list.  I am better born than you and your brother, the colonel-general, and the whole of you.”

“I warn you to say nothing disrespectful against my brother,” replied the Captain.  “As for yourself, I know how to respect your age and superior rank.”

“Drink, drink, drink!” roared the old Marshal.  “I tell you I am better born than the best of you.  I have advanced you all too, and you know it; therefore drink to me.”

Sir William was as logical as men in their cups are prone to be.

“Indeed, you have behaved well to my brother Thomas,” answered Norris, suddenly becoming very courteous, “and for this I have ever loved your Lordship, and would, do you any service.”

“Well, then,” said the Marshal, becoming tender in his turn, “forget what hath past this night, and do as you would have done before.”

“Very well said, indeed!” cried Sir Philip Sidney, trying to help the natter into the smoother channel towards which it was tending.

Norris, seeing that the eyes of the whole company were upon them; took the glass accordingly, and rose to his feet.

“My Lord Marshal,” he said, “you have done me more wrong this night than you can easily make satisfaction for.  But I am unwilling that any trouble or offence should grow through me.  Therefore once more I pledge you.”