“Were the gold mine, you should have one, and welcome, fair mistress,” replied Lovel, gallantly. “But this is the King’s treasure, and I am bound to guard it.”
“But suppose it were carried off by force, what would you say then?” pursued Lilias, playfully.
“I cannot entertain any such supposition,” he replied, shutting down the lid, and locking the coffer. “There! now I have removed temptation,” he added, with a smile.
“That chest must be enormously heavy,” observed Lilias to her husband. “Do you think you could lift it, Og?”
“I don’t know,” he replied; “but if Master Lovel will allow me, I will try.”
“Make the attempt, and welcome,” replied Lovel, with a laugh.
Seizing hold of the chest with a herculean grasp, Og threw it over his shoulder.
“There, now you have got possession of it, away with you,” cried Lilias.[Lilias.] “Master Lovel will not prevent you.”
“Hold! hold!” exclaimed the keeper of the treasure. “This is carrying the jest rather too far.”
“Did you really think I was making off with the chest, Master Lovel?” cried Og, setting it down with a great laugh.