Willmington sat down.
“I have taken the liberty, sir, of asking you to my cabin, to speak to you on a subject that I am aware must be very delicate; but my great anxiety for my friend, and the just apprehension that I entertain with regard to his life itself, have led me to put aside whatever reluctance I should otherwise feel, and to speak to you on that head.”
Willmington looked stolidly and vaguely at Hamilton, and said not a word.
“You are aware, sir,” continued Hamilton, “that Appadocca runs, at this moment, the risk of his life.”
“I am aware, sir,” replied Willmington, briefly.
“Well, sir, shutting my eyes to all family quarrels—”
“There are no quarrels in my family that I know of, sir,” interrupted Willmington.
“Perhaps you will hear me out,” remarked Hamilton.
Willmington exhibited the rudiments of a bow.
“Shutting my eyes to all private quarrels between you, I say, I cannot but consider it a misfortune that a young man, like Appadocca, should be brought to a disgraceful death on a scaffold at such an early age. You will be the only prosecutor in this case, and, to a certain extent, you hold his life in your hands; will you suspend—suspend your animosity, and give Appadocca a chance of escape?”