“But do you know, kind girl, even if your plan should succeed, what would be the penalty to yourself for assisting the escape of a convicted prisoner?” inquired Malcolm, gravely.
“No, nor care! They couldn’t hang me, and even if they could, I shouldn’t mind a little hanging in the cause of a friend!” said Annella, cheerfully, for her spirits were rising with sanguine hopes of success.
“They would transport you for life!”
“Well, let them, if it would be any comfort to them for the escape of Eudora! It would only be giving me a free passage to Australia, and I want to see the world. I dare say Botany Bay is not the worst place on the face of the earth. They say convicts there in a very short time are able to retire on ample fortunes. In a word, I should be transported with joy to be sent over for Miss Leaton’s sake. ‘Variety is the spice of existence,’ and that would be one of the spices!” said Annella, gaily, for in Malcolm’s evident acquiescence her spirits were rising.
“Your plan shall be tried,” said Mr. Montrose, gravely, “the more readily that I do not believe you would really come to harm through it. But are you sure that even if you win over the gaoler, you have courage to act out your own part? Remember that yours is far the most perilous part of all. My hand would scarcely be seen in it. The gaoler, with five thousand pounds, could afford to leave the country, but you would be found in the cell, and have to face—”
“The music of the row they’d raise! I know it. I’m not afraid. Go ahead. I’ll do my part,” said Annella, bravely.
“If the peril were all my own—”
“Now you are at your doubts and hesitations again. Think of Eudora’s peril, and act with decision.”
“You are right, Eudora only should be thought of now, but when she is once in safety, my dear girl, I will devote all my energies to helping you out of any trouble you may get into upon her account,” replied Malcolm.
“Thank you kindly, but I will not trouble you. I shall help myself, as I have done all my life. I had a great deal rather you would tell me when we shall begin to help Eudora,” said Annella, bravely.