Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Dynamiter

•Vn^ SPIltlTED OLD LADY. 93
impossible that I should suffer you to stay ; for when the
liour struck and my companion came, true to his appoint-
ment, and he, at least, true to our design, I could neither
suffer you to be killed nor yet him to be arrested. From
such a tragic passage, death, and death alone, could save
me ; and it is no fault of mine if I continue to exist.
' But you, madam,' continued the young man, address-
ing himself more directly to myself, ' were doubtless
born to save the prince and to confound our purposes.
My life you have prolonged ; and by turning the key on
my companion, you have made me the author of his
death. He heard the hour strike ; he was impotent to
help ; and thinking himself forfeit to honour, thinking
that I should fall alone upon his highness and perish
for lack of his support, he has turned his pistol on
himself.'
' You are right,' said Prince Florizel : ' it was in no
ungenerous spirit that you brought these burthens on
yourself ; and when I see you so nobly to blame, so
tragically punished, I stand like one reproved. For is it
not strange, madam, that you and I, by practising
accepted and inconsiderable virtues, and commonplace
but still unpardonable faults, should stand here, in the
sight of God, with what we call clean hands and quiet
consciences ; while this poor youth, for an error that I
could almost envy him, should be sunk beyond the reach
of hope ?
' Sir,' resumed the prince, turning to the young
man, ' I cannot help you ; my help would but unchain
the thunderbolt that overhangs you; and I can but leave
you free.'
' And, sir,' said I, ' as this house belongs to me, I
will ask you to have the kindness to remove the body.
You and your conspirators, it appears to me, can hardly
in civility do less.'
' It shall be done,' said the young man, with a dismal
accent.
' And you, dear madam,' said the prince, ' you, to
whom I owe my life, how can I serve you ? '
' Your highness,' I said, ' to be very plain, this is