“Lord Arthur Talbot.”
“Save Arthur Talbot? And again? It is not in my power to do so.”
“If thou couldst save him wouldst thou?”
“’Twould be by death.”
“The flight was not Talbot’s fault alone; at least, ’twas as much the fault of his loyalty, for she was a royalist.”
“The arm that striketh him shall go unpunished. He is outlawed; he that will may kill him. He shall die.”
“Is thy vengeance justice, man? or is it jealousy? Again, the hand that shall slay him will also slay Elvira. Then thou shalt hear remorse whispering in the storm, and thy life will be a burden to thee. Forget this hate; forgive—mercy!”
For a little while the stern puritan held up his head. Then it fell.
“I will forget this hate—I will save him.”
“’Tis the proof of thy patriotism, Richard.”