"Fair lady, your words were kind and kindly meant and I could take no insult from them," Reepicheep says, trembling with insulted astonishment – not aimed at her, but at the very idea.

"And if some blaggard has given you pain for only speaking your desires, well, I will show them the point of my blade if they be a knight or beat them black and blue with the flat of it if not until they learn prettier manners. I will await you and His Majesty – and your knights – all and look forward to celebrating your release from this despicable magic."