“And it will last a good while yet, Mr. Wenzel.”
“Yes, it will last dreadfully long,” sighed the wretched man.
“Are you married? Have you got any children?”
“Yes, I have a wife and two little girls—two little angels. Ah, if I could only see them once more in my life!”
“Wait yet for fourteen years; you can see them then if they be still alive, and care about having you back.”
“I shall not live fourteen years,” murmured the pale, downcast man. “Well, listen to me, Mr. Wenzel. What would you do if I should set you at liberty?”
“At liberty?” asked the man, almost in terror. “At liberty!” he shouted then, loudly and jubilantly.
“Yes, sir, at liberty! But you must do something in order to deserve it. Will you do so?”
“I will do every thing, every thing I am ordered to do, if I am to be set at liberty, if I am allowed to see my wife and my little girls again!” shouted Wenzel, trembling with delight.
“Suppose I should order you again to become a popular orator and to stir up a nice little riot?”