Page:Lady Barbarity; a romance (IA ladybarbarityrom00snai).pdf/299

 the dear harmless creature, the dear harmless creature's slain, and there's an end on't. You are sure that you did not mean to do it, and it's a great pity that you did, and had you thought it would have torn it so, sure you would not a done it for a golden pound. But as he's dead let his end be dignified, so put down twopence for some masses for his soul!"

"You may gibe," said I, miserably, "but I would that I were not the wicked wretch I am!"

And I sat down tearful, and in a truly repentant mind, for I could not rid my brain of the unholy image of that poor, pale man stark upon the meadow sward.

"His death was prettier than ever was his life," said Anthony, still musing on the tragic theme. "For at least he sold his country."

"But at what cost did he cede it?" I demanded fiercely. "And who spurred him to the deed?"

"That is what I never will enquire," says he; and the pledge accompanying this sweet speech was of such a gentle consolation that rapture softened my keenest pangs.

Until that moment I did not know what a tender and a faithful heart might do. 'Twas good to feel that a man was mine who could recognise my crime, and yet was strong enough to pardon me for its commission. But like the very female creature that I surely am, I did not pause to consider then that this crime had been committed for the sake of the hero who had condoned it with such a lordly magnanimity.