"What is she to me? My soul! my life I—every thing that an angel of light can be to a human being. If she dies, Sir William, I will perish with her."
This wild outburst hardened the governor, who absolutely believed the young man possessed.
"Leave me, boy!" he said, not unkindly; "in this matter I must take council with my God alone. Would that this hard duty had been spared me! I am admonished by the weakness here, that the scales of justice tremble in my hands. This must not be. Men who govern must be firm, or mercy is but cowardice."
"Oh, if you could but see her as I have! feel for her as I feel!" cried the young man.
"Were I Norman Lovel, and you governor of this province, it might be so," answered Sir William. "But plead with me no more; this heart is heavy enough without that. If it must withhold the mercy you ask, the pain here will far outweigh any thing that you can feel."
Sir William pressed a hand hard upon his heart as he spoke, and there was an expression of such pain in his voice and on his features that Norman forbore to press him further, but arose, and stood up ready to go.
"Yes, leave me," said Sir William, reaching forth his hand with a sad smile. "I have need to be alone."
Norman kissed the hand which Sir William held out to him, and his eyes filled with tears.
"Oh, think mercifully of her, if you would not break my heart!" he said.
Sir William drew back his hand, turning his face away.