第48章

"These remarks are impertinent, and not to the purpose.You are the murderer of Lord Ashley, let that suffice.Probably you were on your way hither when you did the deed?""He was," said the dwarf, vindictively."I met him at the Golden Crown but a short time after.""Very well, that is another point settled, and either of them is strong enough to seal his death warrant.You came here as a spy, to see and hear and report - probably you were sent by King Charles?""Probably - just think as you please about it!" said Sir Norman, who knew his case was as desperate as it could be, and was quite reckless what he answered.

"You admit that you are a spy, then?"

"No such thing.I have owned nothing.As I told you before, you are welcome to put what construction you please on my actions.""Sir Norman Kingsley, this is nonsensical equivocation! You own you came to hear and see?""Well!"

"Well, hearing and seeing constitute spying, do they not?

Therefore, you are a spy."

"I confess it looks like it.What next?""Need you askWhat is the fate of all spies?""No matter what they are in other places, I am pretty certain what they are here!""And that is?"

"A room in black, and a chop with an axe -the Earl of Gloucester's fate, in a word!""You have said it! Have you any reason why such a sentence should not be pronounced on you?""None; pronounce it as soon as you like.""With the greatest pleasure!" said the duke, who had been scrawling on another ominous roll of vellum, and now passed it to the dwarf."I never knew anyone it gave me more delight to condemn.Will your highness pass that to her majesty for signature, and pronounce his sentence."His highness, with a grin of most exquisite delight, did as directed; and Sir Norman looked steadfastly at the queen as she received it.One of the gauzy nymphs presented it to her, kneeling, and she took it with a look half bored, half impatient, and lightly scrawled her autograph.The long, dark lashes did not lift; no change passed over the calm, cold face, as icily placid as a frozen lake in the moonlight - evidently the life or death of the stranger was less than nothing to her.To him she, too, was as nothing, or nearly so; but yet there was a sharp jarring pain at his heart, as he saw that fair hand, that had saved him once, so coolly sign his death warrant now.But there was little time left for to watch her; for, as she pushed it impatiently away, and relapsed into her former proud listlessness, the dwarf got up with one of his death's-head grins, and began:

"Sir Norman Kingsley, you have been tried and convicted as a spy, and the paid-hireling of the vindictive and narrow-minded Charles; and the sentence of this court, over which I have the honor to preside, is, that you be taken hence immediately to the place of execution, and there lose your head by the axe!""And a mighty small loss it will be!" remarked the duke to himself, in a sort of parenthesis, as the dwarf concluded his pleasant observation by thrusting himself forward across the table, after his rather discomposing fashion, and breaking out into one of has diabolical laughter-chips.

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?"