the firm impression, thought,
and conviction that he was offering his hand in marriage; which said
impression, thought, and conviction were fully and reasonably declared
and evident in his actions, manner, bearing, air, and conduct.

"This is very perplexing," said Duke Deodonato, and he knit his brows;
for as he gazed upon the beauty of the damsel, it seemed to him a thing
unnatural, undesirable, unpalatable, unpleasant, and unendurable, that
she should wed Dr. Fusbius. Yet if such were the law--Duke Deodonato
sighed, and he glanced at the damsel: and it chanced that the damsel
glanced at Duke Deodonato, and, seeing that he was a proper man and
comely, and that his eye spoke his admiration of her, she blushed; and
her cheek that had gone white when those of the Judges who favored the
learned Doctor were speaking, went red as a rose again, and she strove
to order her hair and to conceal the rent that was in her robe. And
Duke Deodonato sighed again.

"My Lord," he said to the President, "we have heard these wise and
erudite men; and, forasmuch as the matter is difficult, they are
divided among themselves, and the staff whereon we leant is broken.
Speak, therefore, your mind."

Then the President of the Council looked earnestly at Duke Deodonato,
but the Duke veiled his face with his hand.

"Answer truly," said he, "without fear or favor; so shall you fulfil
Our pleasure."

And the President, looking round upon the company, said:

"It is, Your Highness, by all reasonable, honest, just, proper, and
honorable intendment, as good, sound, full, and explicit an offer of
marriage as hath ever been had in this Duchy."

"So be it," said Duke Deodonato; and Dr. Fusbius smiled in triumph,
while the maiden grew pale again.

"And," pursued the President, "it binds, controls, and rules every man,
woman, and child in these Your Highness's dominions, and hath the force
of law over all."

"So be it," said Deodonato again.

"Saving," added the President, "Your Highness only."

There was a movement among the company.

"For," pursued the President, "by the ancient laws, customs, manners,
and observances of the Duchy, no decree or law shall in any way
whatsoever impair, alter, lessen, or derogate from the high rights,
powers, and prerogatives of Your Highness, whom may Heaven long
preserve. Although, therefore, it be, by and pursuant to Your
Highness's decree, the sure right of every man in this Duchy to be
accepted in marr