"Ah," said the magistrate, "does he so? Why, then we have had much foolish trouble for nothing."
I looked at the amount of the forgeries, a list of which some one put into my hands.
"It is false," I cried; "I will not pay a cent!"
I cast my eyes upon Ralph. He reached over a table behind which he stood, and waved his hand to and fro, as if, had he been nigh enough, he would have buffeted me on the face. His look was that of a demon, and he spat the foam from his lips, as if to testify the extremity of hatred.
"Let him go," I cried; "I will pay it all!"
"You can undoubtedly do so, if you will," said the magistrate, who had marked the malice that beamed from the visage of the young man; "but do not dream that that will discharge the prisoner from arrest, or from the necessity of answering the felony of which he now stands accused, before a court and jury. The extent of the forgeries, and the temper displayed by the accused, are such, that he must and shall abide the fruits of his delinquency. He stands committed—officer, remove him."
I heard no more; my brain spun round and round, and I was again carried insensible to my miserable dwelling.