If you have
grasped the true principles of liberty, and if you are privileged to be
one of the small band who have never despaired of the republic, to whom
is it that you owe it?'
'Yes, yes, Charles; I acknowledge what you say,' the young man answered,
with much agitation. 'I am sure that I should be the last to oppose any
wish which you might express, but in this case I fear lest your
tenderness of heart may be leading you astray. By all means ask him any
questions that you like; but it seems to me that there can be only one
end to the matter.'
So I thought also; for, with the full secret of these desperate men in
my possession, what hope was there that they would ever suffer me to
leave the hut alive? And yet, so sweet is human life, and so dear a
respite, be it ever so short a one, that when that murderous hand was
taken from my chin I heard a sudden chiming of little bells, and the
lamp blazed up into a strange fantastic blur. It was but for a moment,
and then my mind was clear again, and I was looking up at the strange
gaunt face of my examiner.
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