"Basterga might have a dozen confederates in the house ready at a sign to destroy the letters." She nodded.
"And that is what they will make us out to be," he continued, his voice sinking as his fears returned upon him.

"The Syndic threatened as much; and such things have happened a hundred times.

I tell you, if we do not do something, we shall suffer with him.

But do it, and he is in your power! And if he has any hold on you, it is gone!" The blood surged to her face.

Hold upon her?
Ah! Rage--or was it hope ?--lightened in her eyes and transformed her face.