To be jeered at, after this fashion, to be scorned and mocked by this man who in the beginning had talked so silkily, moved so humbly, evinced so much respect, played the poor scholar so well, was a bitter pill.

He asked himself if it was for this he had betrayed his city; if it was for this he had sold his friends.
And then--then he remembered that it was not for this--not for this, but for life, dear life, warm life, that he had done this thing.

And, swallowing the rage that was rising within him, he calmed himself.
"It is better to cease to be Syndic than cease to live," he said coldly.
But the other had no mind to return to their former relations.

"True, O sage!" he answered contemptuously.

"But why not both?
Because--shall I tell you ?" "I hear----" "Yes, and I hear too! The city is rising!" Basterga listened a moment.
"Presently they will ring the alarm-bell, and----" "If you stay here some one may find you!" "And find me with you ?" Basterga rejoined.