In the name of that life, therefore, which I
once preserved to Captain de Haldimar, at the price of
my own blood, I entreat a respite from trial until then."
"In the name of God and all his angels, let mercy reach
your soul, and grant his prayer!"
Every ear was startled--every heart touched by the
plaintive, melancholy, silver tones of the voice that
faintly pronounced the last appeal, and all recognised
it for that of the young, interesting, and attached wife
of the prisoner. Again the latter turned his gaze towards
the window whence the sounds proceeded, and by the glare
of the torches a tear was distinctly seen by many coursing
down his manly cheek. The weakness was momentary. In the
next instant he closed his shirt and coat, and resuming
his cap, stepped back once more amid his guard, where he
remained stationary, with the air of one who, having
nothing further to hope, has resolved to endure the worst
that can happen with resignation and fortitude.
After the lapse of a few moments, again devoted to much
apparent deep thought and conjecture, the Governor once
more, and rather hurriedly, resumed,--
"In the event, prisoner, of this delay in your trial
being granted, will you pledge yourself to disclose the
secret to which you have alluded? Recollect, there is
nothing but that which can save your memory from being
consigned to infamy for ever; for who, among your comrades,
will believe the idle denial of your treachery, when
there is the most direct proof against you? If your secret
die with you, moreover, every honest man will consider
it as having been one so infamous and injurious to your
character, that you were ashamed to reveal it.
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