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 ask What 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.