The queen, who had been sitting passive, and looking as if she
were in spirit a thousand miles away, now started up with sharp
suddenness, and favored his highness with one of her fieriest
fiery glances.
"Will your highness just permit somebody else to have a voice in
that matter? How many more trials are to come on tonight?"
"Only one," replied the duke, glancing over a little roll which
he held; "Lady Castlemaine's, for poisoning the Duchess of
Sutherland."
"And what is my Lady Castlemaine's fate to be?"
"The same as our friend's here, in all probability," nodding
easily, not to say playfully, at Sir Norman.
"And how long will her trial last?"
"Half an hour, or thereabouts. There are some secrets in the
matter that have to be investigated, and which will require some
time."
"Then let all the trials be over first, and all the beheadings
take place together. We don't choose to take the trouble of
traveling to the Black Chamber just to see his head chopped off,
and then have the same journey to undergo half an hour after, for
a similar purpose. Call Lady Castlemaine, and let this prisoner
be taken to one of the dungeons, and there remain until the time
for execution.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219