“You are mistaken! They would not kill you; at least, not tonight, if I had not signed it. 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.”