"
"Proud as you are, Sir Knight," said Halbert, "in your imagined
superiority, be not too confident that you cannot be moved."
"Faith, by nothing that thou canst urge," said Sir Piercie.
"Knowest thou, then, this token?" said young Glendinning, offering to
him the silver bodkin he had received from the White Lady.
Never was such an instant change, from the most contemptuous serenity,
to the most furious state of passion, as that which Sir Piercie
Shafton exhibited. It was the difference between a cannon lying quiet
in its embrasure, and the same gun when touched by the linstock. He
started up, every limb quivering with rage, and his features so
inflamed and agitated by passion, that he more resembled a demoniac,
than a man under the regulation of reason. He clenched both his fists,
and thrusting them forward, offered them furiously at the face of
Glendinning, who was even himself startled at the frantic state of
excitation which his action had occasioned. The next moment he
withdrew them, struck his open palm against his own forehead, and
rushed out of the room in a state of indescribable agitation. The
whole matter had been so sudden, that no person present had time to
interfere.
When Sir Piercie Shafton had left the apartment, there was a moment's
pause of astonishment; and then a general demand that Halbert
Glendinning should instantly explain by what means he had produced
such a violent change in the deportment of the English cavalier.
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