If any consideration could induce me to forget the claims of
justice, the recollection of thy good service on the Leman would prove thy
best friend. As it is, I fear thou hast naught to expect from me."
Maso was silent. He looked the other steadily in the face, as if he would
study his character, though he guardedly prevented his manner from losing
its appearance of profound respect.
"Signore, the chances of life were greatly with you at the birth. You were
born the heir of a powerful house, in which gold is more plenty than woes
in a poor man's cabin, and you have not been made to learn by experience
how hard it is to keep down the longings for those pleasures which the
base metal will purchase, when we see others rolling in its luxuries."
"This plea will not avail thee, unfortunate man; else were there an end of
human institutions. The difference of which thou speakest is a simple
consequence of the rights of property; and even the barbarian admits the
sacred duty of respecting that which is another's."
"A word from one like you, illustrious Signore, would open for me the road
to Piedmont," continued Maso, unmoved: "once across the frontiers, it
shall be my care never to molest the rocks of Valais again.
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