I became
every moment more anxious for my safety. It was with difficulty I
stammered out an entreaty that he would instantly depart, or suffer
me to do so. He paid no regard to my request, but proceeded in a
more impassioned manner:--
"What is it you fear? Have I not told you you are safe? Has not
one in whom you more reasonably place trust assured you of it?
Even if I execute my purpose, what injury is done? Your prejudices
will call it by that name, but it merits it not.
"I was impelled by a sentiment that does you honor; a sentiment
that would sanctify my deed; but, whatever it be, you are safe. Be
this chimera still worshiped; I will do nothing to pollute it."
There he stopped.
The accents and gestures of this man left me drained of all
courage. Surely, on no other occasion should I have been thus
pusillanimous. My state I regarded as a hopeless one. I was
wholly at the mercy of this being. Whichever way I turned my eyes,
I saw no avenue by which I might escape. The resources of my
personal strength, my ingenuity, and my eloquence, I estimated at
nothing.
Pages:
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443