“What did he say, mother?” murmured Muriel.
“Do not ask me,” she replied. “I am heart-sick. Ask me nothing. I told him that it was in our house the man had found shelter. And he said he was glad to hear it, for it was a guaranty that he would not be disturbed in the execution of his purpose. He has a power of attorney from Lafitte, he told me, to act as his agent in the matter, and if we presumed to interfere further, he said, he would immediately bring the case before a Commissioner, and have the man returned by law. That was all.”
They remained silent a little while, looking with pity on the frozen desolation of her still and pallid features.
“Mother,” said Muriel, “what shall we do? Are you willing to let us act publicly in this matter now?”
“Do not ask me,” she faltered! “Give me a little time to think. I am going to my chamber. Don’t disturb me. I want to be alone. I will think, and to-morrow I will let you know.”
They stood with bowed heads, touched by the solemn winter of her sorrow, and she feebly glided from the room. Emily, after a moment’s hesitation, followed her.
“Ah, me, I fear the case is hopeless,” sighed Muriel. “Everything depends now on your success in finding Antony on board the Soliman.”
“Everything,” replied Harrington. “Yet, Muriel, on reflection, it is, perhaps, as well that we should not seek a public redress. For if the writ of habeas corpus failed in its execution, as it probably would, Mr. Atkins would at once get out a warrant for Antony, and then he would be lost, indeed. Yes, lost—but by the Eternal God!” he vehemently cried, lifting his arms to heaven, “never should he, never shall any fugitive, be taken from Boston without a desperate effort to prevent it. I have seen one slave dragged hence, and that sent my brains to my hands. Never while I live will I see another. The hour that sees the next man haled before a Commissioner, will see me burst into their court-room, armed to the teeth, and I will take him from them, if I have to do it through a lane of corpses, or leave my body beside him. Then, if I live, let them try me for treason, and if I die, let them put a traitor’s stone upon my grave!”
His arms fell heavily, and he strode away toward the door.