Were death in one scale, and free, unshackled liberty in the other, and thou badest me choose between, I would not so stain my soul.

Death, death itself were welcome, aye, worse than death--confinement, chains.

I would hug them to my heart as precious boons, rather than live and walk the earth a traitor." "Beware!" muttered the earl; "tempt me not too far, rash boy.

I would not do thee ill; I would have pity on thy erring youth, remembering the evil counsels, the base heart which hath guided thee." "Do thou beware!" retorted Alan, fiercely.

"Speak not such foul words to me.