Page:Eugene Aram vol 3 - Lytton (1832).djvu/123

 up to his full height, folded his arms doggedly on his breast, and muttering,—

"The accuser comes,—I have it still to refute the charge"—he stood prepared to meet, nor despairing to evade, the worst.

As waters close over the object which divided them, all these thoughts, these fears, and this resolution, had been but the work, the agitation, and the succeeding calm, of the moment; that moment was past.

"Admit us," cried the voice of Walter Lester, knocking fiercely at the door.

"Not so fervently, boy," said Lester, laying his hand on his nephew's shoulder; "your tale is yet to be proved—I believe it not; treat him as innocent I pray, I command, till you have shewn him guilty."

"Away, uncle," said the fiery Walter; "he is my Father's murderer. God hath given justice to my hands." These words, uttered in a lower key than before, were but indistinctly heard by Aram through the massy door.