‘Yes, I will stick to that, wild horses shall not drag other from me.’
‘No one will believe thee.’
‘No one would believe the other thing, so it comes to the same for thee,’ returned Osbert lightly.
‘What other thing?’ inquired Felicitas.
‘Thy statement that she was idle, and thou wert reproving her for it. Her work proves her industry: she has any amount to show in defence of thy charge. Look at her maps; her writings; her daily announcements; her daily registrations of her observations. The charge of idleness, I fear me, will not help thy cause.’
‘It was not idleness in general, but some information in particular that she failed to supply me with.’
‘Think it over, cousin, of what this particular information consisted. I bet my garters it was somewhat thou canst not explain publicly.’
‘Cease thy chatter, and stick to thy resolve of having turned blind that very moment; ’tis the best thou canst do for me, I see very plainly.’
‘So I see, too, and as we two see alike we cannot come to any difference. Adieu, cousin, I hope Kate will not chide thee for having eyes for other women! That is my best wish for thee, this fine day.’
‘I don’t think that fellow could think seriously for five minutes if he had to be hanged for it,’ the Emperor muttered to himself, using the old expression ‘hanged’ for it was still retained, although that form of execution had been given up long before.