‘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. As the Emperor was being driven back to the city, Prince Osbert who cared little for his company at this moment, alighted from the carriage, leaving him to the management of his own affairs. Felicitas, then promptly decided upon driving to the official residence of his prime minister, Mr. Stonesack, for he was anxious to confer with him concerning the dilemma in which he was placed. Moreover, he desired to intimate to his minister that steps must be taken at once for the arrest of Sadbag and Geometrus. Neither could Mercia be left out of the indictment, for according to his story, she was the principal aggressor. He was not so lost to all good feeling that he experienced no pangs of self-reproach for the part he was taking against the innocent girl; but he could see only two ways out of the difficulty; either the impeachment of Mercia and her friends, or a full confession of his own conduct. This latter would have been intolerable. The deliberate exposure of himself to the public, and a big public it was, by this time, for it embraced the whole world, after having so long played the part of Simon Pure to popular opinion, was out of the question. He would certainly shield himself, he thought, and if the worst came to Mercia he could exercise his royal clemency on her behalf, and set her at liberty again. By this course he would get rid of the detestable Sadbag for good, and Geometrus at the same time. Who knows, thought Felicitas with a faint smile, but Mercia may still prove kind to me, if that fellow were only put out of reach.