“Will your honor sign?” said Perez to Dwight, who stood before the fireplace, silently regarding the proceedings. His first ebullition of rage had passed, and he appeared entirely calm.
“My associates may do as they please,” he replied with dignity, “but it shall never be said that Elijah Dwight surrendered to a mob the commission which he received from his excellency, the governor, and their honors, the councillors of the Commonwealth.”
“I admire your courage, sir, but I cannot answer for the consequences of your refusal,” said Perez.
“For my sake sign, sir,” urged Madam Dwight.
“Oh, sign, papa. They will kill you,” cried Eliza.
“Methinks, it is but proper prudence, to seem to yield for the time being,” said Goodrich.
“'Tis no more than the justices at Northampton have done,” added Barker.
“I need not remind your honor that a pledge given under duress, is not binding,” said Whiting.
But Dwight waved them away, saying merely, “I know my duty.”
Suddenly Eliza Dwight stepped to the table and wrote something at the bottom of the agreement, and giving the paper to Perez said something to him in a low voice. But her father's keen eye had noted the act, and he said angrily: