He found himself in a long gloomy hall with many pillars， full， as the courtyard had been， of statues. The one nearest the door was a little Faun with a very sad expression on its face， and Edmund couldn’t help wondering if this might be Lucy‘s friend. The only light came from a single lamp and close beside this sat the White Witch.
“I’m come， your Majesty，” said Edmund， rushing eagerlyforward.
“How dare you come alone？” said the Witch in a terrible voice. “Did I not tell you to bring the others with you？”
“Please， your Majesty，” said Edmund， “I‘ve done the best I can. I’ve brought them quite close. They‘re in the little house on top of the dam just up the river.with Mr and Mrs Beaver.”
A slow cruel smile came over the Witch’s face. “Is this all your news？” she asked.
“No， your Majesty，” said Edmund， and proceeded to tellher all he had heard before leaving the Beavers‘ house. “What！ Aslan？” cried the Queen， “Aslan！ Is this true？ If Ifind you have lied to me.”
“Please， I’m only repeating what they said，” stammeredEdmund.
But the Queen， who was no longer attending to him， clapped her hands. Instantly the same dwarf whom Edmund had seen with her before appeared.
