You shall have five minutes in which to clear your soul." By this it seemed to me--as it may well seem to you--that matters were but little mended, and instead of employing the respite he accorded me in the pious collecting of thoughts which he enjoined, I sat up--very sore from my descent of the stairs--and employed those precious moments in putting forward arguments to turn him from, his murderous purpose.
"I have lived too ungodly a life," I protested, "to be able to squeeze into Paradise through so narrow a tate.

As you would hope for your own ultimate salvation, Excellency, I do beseech you not to imperil mine." This disposed him, at least, to listen to me, and proceeded to assure him of the harmless nature of my visit to the hall in quest of wine to quench my thirst.

I was running the grave risk of dying with lies on my lips, but I was too desperate to give the matter thought just then.

His mood seemed to relent; the delay, perhaps, had calmed his first access of passion, and he was grown more reasonable.

But when Ramiro cooled he was, perhaps, more malignant than ever, for it meant a return to natural condition, and Ramiro's natural condition was one of cruelty unsurpassed.
"It may be as you say," he answered me at last, sheathing his dagger, "and at least you have my word that I will not slay you without first assuring myself that you have lied.