The _remedium_ first; afterwards what they would, but the _remedium_ first.
He was not going to risk life, warm life, the vista of sunny unending to-morrows, of springs and summers and the melting of snows, for a craze, a scare, an imaginary danger! Why at that very minute the lad whom he had commissioned to seize the thing might be on the way with it.
At any minute a step might sound on the threshold, and herald the promise of life.

And then--then they might deal with Basterga as they pleased.

Then they might hang the Paduan high as Haman, if they pleased.
But until then--his mind was made up.
"I do not agree with you," he said, his underlip thrust out, his head trembling a little.
"You will not arrest him ?" "No, I shall not arrest him," he replied, hardening himself to meet their protestant and indignant eyes.

"Nor would you," he continued with bravado, "in my place.

If you knew as much as I do." "But if you know," Baudichon said, "I would like to know also." "The responsibility is mine." Blondel swayed himself from side to side in his chair as he said it.