“How would it be if you could find those real thieves, for whom you pretend you have suffered disgrace?” was the searching query.
Earle’s face was very noble and earnest as he returned, thoughtfully:
“Beyond proving my own innocence, and justifying myself in the yes of the world, I believe I can honestly say I wish them no ill.”
“And you would revenge yourself by making them serve a double sentence, if you could?” demanded Mr. Dalton, skeptically.
“It might be necessary for the good of the public that they should be put where they could do no more injury; but it would afford me no personal gratification, I can assure you,” Earle answered, with a sigh, feeling that it would be but sad pleasure to be the cause of another’s serving out a term of weary years in State prison, as he had done.
Then, with a pitying glance at his enemy, he said, even more gently than he had yet spoken:
“Mr. Dalton, did you never read what Milton says of that ignoble sentiment of which you speak?
‘Revenge, at first though sweet,
Bitter ere long back on itself recoils.’”
Mr. Dalton laughed, mockingly.