“Every word you have said, my lord,” he said, “goes further and further to convince me that you are not guilty. Oh! I do beg of you—with all the earnestness of which I am capable—consider the position in which you stand. Such a name as that which you bear, surely you owe something to that. If you have no thought for your own life, think of that name which has been handed down to you honored and stainless——”
Faradeane put up his hand.
“Stainless no longer,” he said. “The story of my shame, and my wife’s, is by this time all over England. In a word, Mr. Edgar, I am utterly weary of the life which you would endeavor to save. I repeat, I can tell you nothing; my lips are closed, let the end be what it may.”
The young counsel’s face paled, and he bit his lips.
“So be it, my lord,” he said; “but give me leave to tell you that though you will render me no assistance, will give me no information, I shall still do my duty. Forgive me if I tell you that there are no reasons grave enough to warrant a man sacrificing his life, and I shall still do my very utmost to prove that the plea of guilt which you set up this morning is an utterly false one.”
Faradeane inclined his head.
“I am sure you will do that, Mr. Edgar,” he said, “and I am sorry I cannot wish you success.”
Mr. Edgar bowed, and was leaving the cell, when Faradeane put out his hand with a gesture to arrest him.
“One moment,” he said. “You can do something for me.”
Mr. Edgar stopped, and looked at him with a sudden hope.