Crime & punishment > Peveril of the peak, or, The days of Charles II

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK.
Act a
Strati. True: But you have incurred the dan¬
ger you have been seen in my company often
enough to devise a handsome branch of the plot,
How will you look, when you see come forth, in
comely folio form, the Narrative of Simon Canter^
otherwise called Stephen Ganlesse, concerning the
horrid conspiracy for the murder of the King : s(
ting forth, how far Julian Peveril, the younger,
Martindale Castle, is concerned in carrying on thi
Jul. How, Sir !—my name !—You know mej
then ?
St ran. Young man, when the pestilence is dil
fused through the air of a city, it is in vain mei
would avoid the disease by seeking solitude am
shunning the company of their follow-sufferers.
Jul. In what, then, consists their safety ?
Stran. In following the counsels of wise physii
cians ? J ulian ; your father is a prisoner, charg<
with participating in the plot, the dread of whit
now shakes the country. Think you his son wi
aid his cause by being the bearer of secret dispatchc
from the suspected Countess of Derby. Nay, stai
not! I know you better than you know yoursel
Look yonder, upon the dark towers of your
tors : the pale moon-beam alone lights that turn
from which the bright beacon of the Peveril wi
wont to flare proudly on the evening sky. Thin]
you, young man, your present conduct will relt
the blaze ?
Jul. What mean you ?—Of what am I sus]
cd?
Stran. You bear dispatches from the suspecteif
and detested woman of Derby.
Jul. One word more against that honoured ladw
and your life—
Stran. My life ! Your own is in far greater dati