They would have let you live
until their next meeting, which will be this night week; and I
would have incurred neither risk nor danger by refusing."
Sir Norman glanced round the dungeon and shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not know that that prospect is much more inviting than the
present one. Even death is preferable to a week's imprisonment
in a place like this."
"But in the meantime you might have escaped."
"Madame, look at this stone floor, that stone roof, these solid
walls, that barred and massive door; reflect that I am some forty
feet under ground - cannot perform impossibilities, and then ask
yourself how?"
"Sir Norman, have you ever heard of good fairies visiting brave
knights and setting them free?"
Sir Norman smiled.
"I am afraid the good fairies and brave knights went the way of
all flesh with King Arthur's round table; and even if they were
in existence, none of them would take the trouble to limp down so
far to save such an unlucky dog as I."
"Then you forgive me for what I have done?"
"Your majesty, I have nothing to forgive."
"Bah!" she said, scornfully. "Do not mock me here. My majesty,
forsooth! you have but fifteen minutes to live in this world, Sir
Norman; and if you have no better way of spending them, I will
tell you a strange story - my own, and all about this place.
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