"It is proved that crystal is sublimated ice, and that the diamond is

sublimated crystal. It is averred that ice becomes crystal in a thousand

years, and crystal diamond in a thousand ages. You have denied this."

"Nay," replied Ursus, with sadness, "I only said that in a thousand

years ice had time to melt, and that a thousand ages were difficult to

count."

The examination went on; questions and answers clashed like swords.

You have denied that plants can talk."

Not at all. But to do so they must grow under a gibbet."

Do you own that the mandragora cries?"

No; but it sings."

You have denied that the fourth finger of the left hand has a cordial

virtue."

I only said that to sneeze to the left was a bad sign."

You have spoken rashly and disrespectfully of the phoenix."

Learned judge, I merely said that when he wrote that the brain of the

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The Man Who Laughs