He was sure of himself there.

One only consideration had forced him into this great danger, and that had been the assurance of others that it was his manifest duty to encounter it.

And now there was clearly no escape,--no escape compatible with that clean-handed truth from which it was not possible for him to swerve.

He might create difficulties in order that through them a way might still be opened to him of restoring to the Queen the commission which had been entrusted to him.

He might insist on this or that impossible concession.