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Her tone was neither very sweet nor suave; but it was much pleasanter

to be cross-exaly

little uished; and Sir Norman

turned to her with alacrity, and a bow

"Madasley, very

to assure you I did not coh that hole, if

you perceive, and very ainst my will"

"Equivocation will not serve you in this case, sir," said the queen,

with an austere dignity "And, allow me to observe, it is just probable

you would not have fallen through that hole in our royal ceiling if you

had kept away fro yourself--did you not?"

"Madam, I fear I must say yes!"

"And why did you do so?" demanded her majesty, with far more sharp

asperity than Sir Norman dreamed could ever come from such beautiful

lips

"The ruone forth; and I fear I must

own that ru a polite