For the fulfillment of the first wish, he had not long to wait; the feast, though gay and grand, was of the briefest, and they could have scarcely been half an hour gone when they were all back.
Everybody seemed in better humor, too, after the refection, but the queen and the dwarf--the former looked colder, and harder, and more like a Labrador iceberg tricked out in purple velvet, than ever, and his highness was grinning from ear to ear--which was the very worst possible sign.

Not even her majesty could make the slightest excuse for delaying the trial now; and, indeed, that eccentric lady seemed to have no wish to do so, had she the power, but seated herself in silent disdain of them all, and dropping her long lashes over her dark eyes, seemed to forget there was anybody in existence but herself.
His highness and his nobles took their stations of authority behind the green table, and summoned the guards to lead the prisoner up before them, which was done; while the rest of the company were fluttering down into their seats, and evidently about to pay the greatest attention.
The cases in this midnight court seemed to be conducted on a decidedly original plan, and with an easy rapidity that would have electrified any other court, ancient or modern.

Sir Norman took his stand, and eyed his judges with a look half contemptuous, half defiant; and the proceedings commenced by the dwarf a leaning forward and breaking into a roar of laughter, right in his face.
"My little friend I warned you before not to be so facetious," said Sir Norman, regarding him quietly; "a rush of mirth to the brain will certainly be the death of you one of these day." "No levity, young man!" interposed the lord chancellor, rebukingly; "remember, you are addressing His Royal Highness Prince Caliban, Spouse, and Consort of Her Most Gracious Majesty, Miranda!" "Indeed! Then all I have to say, is, that her majesty has very bad taste in the selection of a husband, unless, indeed, her wish was to marry the ugliest man in the world, as she herself is the most beautiful of women!" Her majesty took not the slightest notice of this compliment, not so much as a flatter of her drooping eye-lashes betrayed that she even heard it, but his highness laughed until he was perfectly hoarse.
"Silence!" shouted the duke, shocked and indignant at this glaring disrespect, "and answer truthfully the questions put to you.

Your name, you say, is Sir Norman Kingsley ?" "Yes.

Has your grace any objection to it ?" His grace waved down the interruption with a dignified wave of the hand, and went on with severe judicial dignity.
"You are the same who shot Lord Ashley between this and the city, some hours ago ?" "I had the pleasure of shooting a highwayman there, and my only regret is, I did not perform the same good office by his companion, in the person of your noble self, before you turned and fled." A slight titter ran round the room, and the duke turned crimson.
"These remarks are impertinent, and not to the purpose.