'Messer Topo, Messer Topo! Thou art the only gentleman! I crave thy
forgiveness, O, I crave thy forgiveness for that slander! A rat! I'll
love them always--a better gentleman, a better friend, bringing us
together!'
With the thought, he flung himself down on the floor, and put his ear to
the hole. Still, very faint and remote, the music came leaking by it--a
voice; the throb of a lute.