Doom

"Let us go," said the queen, glancing at the revolting sight, and
turning away with a shudder of repulsion. "Faugh! The sight of blood has
made me sick."

"And taken away my appetite for supper," added a youthful and elegant
beauty beside her. "My Lord Gloucester was hideous enough when living,
but, mon Dieu! he is ten times more so when dead!"

"Your ladyship will not have the same story to tell of yonder stranger,
when he shares the same fate in are hour or two!" said the dwarf, with a
malicious grin; "for I heard you remarking upon his extreme beauty when
he first appeared."

The lady laughed and bowed, and turned her bright eyes upon Sir Norman.

"True! It is almost a pity to cut such a handsome head off--is it not? I
wish I had a voice in your highness's council, and I know what I should
do."

"What, Lady Mountjoy?"

"Entreat him to swear fealty, and become one of as; and--"

"And a bridegroom for your ladyship?" suggested the queen, with a
curling lip. "I think if Sir Norman Kingsley knew Lady Mountjoy as well
as I do, he would even prefer the block to such a fate!"

Lady Mountjoy's brilliant eyes shone like two angry meteors; but she
merely bowed and laughed; and the laugh was echoed by the dwarf in his
shrillest falsetto.

"Does your highness intend remaining here all night?" demanded the
queen, rather fiercely. "If not, the sooner we leave this ghastly place
the better. The play is over, and supper is waiting."