i hope , '' he added , `` i am sure , captain granby , that my knowledge of your character is not mistaken : you would not refuse to undertake any singular duty , for your country , which only you could perform- '' `` laurence , '' granby said , calm with horror after hammond had eeled off with some excuse , `` that damned diplomat and my thrice-damned dragon are going to marry me off to an empress if they can do it : they are both run mad . ''