"
The lady laughed and bowed, and turned her bright eyes upon Sir
Norman.
"True! It is almost a pity to cut such a handsome head off - is
it not? I wish I had a voice in your highness's council, and I
know what I should do."
"What, Lady Mountjoy?"
"Entreat him to swear fealty, and become one of as; and - "
"And a bridegroom for your ladyship?" suggested the queen, with a
curling lip. "I think if Sir Norman Kingsley knew Lady Mountjoy
as well as I do, he would even prefer the block to such a fate!"
Lady Mountjoy's brilliant eyes shone like two angry meteors; but
she merely bowed and laughed; and the laugh was echoed by the
dwarf in his shrillest falsetto.
"Does your highness intend remaining here all night?" demanded
the queen, rather fiercely. "If not, the sooner we leave this
ghastly place the better. The play is over, and supper is
waiting."
With which the royal virago made an imperious motion for her
attendant sprites in gossamer white to precede her, and turned
with her accustomed stately step to follow. The music
immediately changed from its doleful dirge to a spirited measure,
and the whole company flocked after her, back to the great room
of state.
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