Highs and lows...

Dr Smollett called upon Duke Peter this afternoon. The celebrated author and physician found the Duke to be in good health considering yesterday's surgery. Duke Peter was well enough to hear about Dr Smollett's latest novel based upon the ups and down of life in the Stagonian Court. It will no doubt be another salacious and scurrilous tale quipped Duke Peter to Smollett,who smiled quietly and drank deeply of his wine.
Meanwhile in the palace dungeon the young prisoner was shown a gift given by the Emperor of China to Duke Peter's late father - the Chinese torture chair. The mere sight of it was enough to loosen the tongue of the prisoner who rambled on and on about vile Stagonians, a character called Von Bergmann and a woman in black. Half an hour later ,still rambling on and on ,the prisoner was thrown into the deepest dungeon to await his fate...