"Perjure myself with a lie? avow myself the enemy of my native land? and so die worse and more degraded than I am? Never! Duplicity has made me what I am; a deception that I thought innocent and harmless, has brought me to this pass. Had I come without concealment, then I had left without disgrace, without crime. Oh fool, fool that I was! Talk of this no more: it was on this ground Mr. Pepperel thought of defending me; but on this ground I will not be defended."
"Oho! and young ninny has been before me there, too?" muttered the lawyer. "Well, botheration," he continued, falling into a deep study, in which he held counsel only with himself,—"there is but the one shift in which the rascals won't join me,—but one path in which I can walk this goose-head off alone. Well now, all depends upon Lingo: the rogue has a head as thick as a mountain, and a considerable deal harder. 'Twere a shame to waste gold upon such a clod-headed pig. Give him fifty guineas! God bless our two souls! it were a mere casting of pearls before swine, and, in some sort, a robbing of my own pockets. A shilling's worth of laudanum were a better fee, besides being cheaper. But we'll see."
Having concluded his meditations, he turned to the prisoner, who sat surveying him with an anxious countenance, as if expecting some better comfort from his thoughts, and then said,—
"Well, botheration, we'll have to think of another thing. It is well you are not fettered."——
The young man writhed as if struck with a lash; but before he could speak, Affidavy continued, though with an emphatic gesture for silence,—"For that saves us all the vexation and danger of sawing. You see this little instrument?" he said, displaying a file. "Now, be quiet on your life, sir. You will understand from this, that there is something in the wind boding you good. You are sick and wasted—you were hurt in the scuffle, too; but put you beyond these stone walls, with a saddled horse under you, could you ride him?—Why, botheration, what makes you tremble so?"
"Oh heaven!" cried Hyland, "do not mock me! Nay, I will whisper. Give me the file: I will cut the grating through."
"It does not need," said Affidavy, "and I have no notion of running any risk by leaving it in your hands. But you must understand, sir, (hold your ear close,) that this is a very ugly piece of business, especially for me: if discovered, sir, I am a ruined man; the penalty, sir, is the very next thing to hanging; ay, sir, and in my estimation, somewhat worse; but that's according as we think of it. Now, sir"——
"I understand you," muttered Hyland. "You shall name your own reward—half of my estate, if you will; nay, all—all, so you get me but to the woods, where I can die in peace, and undishonoured!"
"Tush, we'll not think of death: you'll live and be happy. Then as for reward, why, sir, I would not have you think me extortionate, or capable of taking advantage of your distress. No, sir, by no means; I am a lawyer, sir, but an honest man."
"For God's sake, take what you will. Say nothing more; you shall have your wish."