I congratulate you , sir ; Molinda is a dear girl . '' `` I have the highest affection and esteem for my cousin , sir , '' said the prince , `` but : -- '' `` I 'll never marry him ! '' cried poor Molinda , kneeling at the throne , where her streaming eyes and hair made a pretty and touching picture . `` Never ! I despise him ! '' -LSB- Illustration : Page 84 -RSB- `` I was about to say , sir , '' the prince went on , `` that I can not possibly have the pleasure of wedding my cousin . '' `` The family gibbet , I presume , is in good working order ? '' asked the king of the family executioner , a tall gaunt man in black and scarlet , who was only employed in the case of members of the blood royal . `` Never better , sire , '' said the man , bowing with more courtliness than his profession indicated . `` Very well , '' said the king ; `` Prince Prigio , you have your choice . There is the gallows , here is Lady Molinda . My duty is painful , but clear . A king 's word can not be broken . Molly , or the gibbet ! '' The prince bowed respectfully to Lady Molinda : `` Madam , my cousin , '' said he , `` your clemency will excuse my answer , and you will not misinterpret the apparent discourtesy of my conduct . I am compelled , most unwillingly , to slight your charms , and to select the Extreme Rigour of the Law . Executioner , lead on ! Do your duty ; for me , Prigio est prêt ; '' -- for this was his motto , and meant that he was ready . -LSB- Illustration : Page 85 -RSB- Poor Lady Molinda could not but be hurt by the prince 's preference for death over marriage to her , little as she liked him . `` Is life , then , so worthless ?
and is Molinda so terrible a person that you prefer those arms , '' and she pointed XXXXX the gibbet , `` to these ?
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