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

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK.
Act III
Chris. Aye, threaten, good my lord ; for a mo*
ment you are safe; and if you thirst for blood
delay not, but strike—for time flies swiftly, anc
the gallant hearts are now at work who will sea!
f The Bell strikes One. A distant drum ij
heard beating to arms, and a trumpet sound{
ing a call for the cavalry.]
Hark !—hark, the chase is up ; and led by noble
Buckingham are those who will avenge my death
(A noise is heard without; Selby enters, bear
ing a letter.]
Selby. My Liege, this paper from his Grace oj
Buckingham.
King (Reads.]
“ Receive, most noble master, the confession)
“ of one, who madly forgot your royal bounties,
“ and leagued himself with traitorous villains: —
“ all the atonement in my power I have offered
“ but nothing can expiate the base ingratitude o;
“ the wretched George Villars.”
Selby. My Liege, all danger’s over. By tin
Duke’s instructions we have secured those band:
who waited but the appointed signal to rush upon '■
the palace.
Chris. False, traitorous villain !—Fickle to th( *
last!
King. Conduct that villain to his dungeon.
Chrig. By your leave one word.— Fenella, foi ■
an idle passion you have betrayed me to bonds
and death; but know, when by your evidence
my life is forfeited—the daughter murders the
father!
Fen. Gracious Heaven ! what say you ?
Chris. My child thou art; and tell the Lady ol ;
Derby, that if the daughter of Edward Christian; "