Would to Heaven I had never yielded to her solicitations!" "Peace, craven hound!" exclaimed Fawkes, furiously; "you deserve to die for your meanness and ingratitude, if not for your treachery.

And it is for this miserable wretch, Viviana," he added, turning to her, "that you would have placed your friends in such fearful jeopardy,--it is for him, who would sacrifice you without scruple to save himself, that you now offer your own life ?" "I deserve your reproaches," she rejoined, in confusion.
"Had I not fortunately intercepted him," pursued Fawkes, "an hour would not have elapsed ere he would have returned with the officers; and we should have changed this dwelling for a dungeon in the Tower,--these benches for the rack." "In pity stab me!" cried Viviana, falling at his feet.

"But oh! do not wound me with your words.

I have committed a grievous wrong; but I was ignorant of the consequences; and, as I hope for mercy hereafter, my sole motive, beyond compassion for this wretched man, was to terrify you into relinquishing your dreadful project." "You have acted wrongfully,--very wrongfully, Viviana," interposed Garnet: "but since you are fully convinced of your error, no more need be said.

There are seasons when the heart must be closed against compassion, and when mercy becomes injustice.