Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/144

120  No, no, I am no traitor. I was born here. My father was naturalized. I am an Englishwoman. This is my country.  [After a dead pause.] Your country is where the graves of your kindred are. How many of yours are here? Only one, and where is it? Under the earth of a prison yard.

 [With a gasp.] Oh! Oh!

 [Following her up.] Besides, there is something else—something you don't know even yet.

 What?

 Before we drew the lots we took an oath.

 An oath?

 That if the one to whom the lot fell should fail to carry out his duty his life should be forfeit to the rest.

 [With horror.] Then it's the Minister's life, or Otto's?