I mention this, not as refusing your request, but to make you fully aware of the possible consequences--I will never evade a promise, or refuse to return an obligation--if you ask his life, he shall have it." "Keep him close prisoner," answered Evandale, "but do not be surprised if I persist in requesting you will not put him to death.

I have most urgent reasons for what I ask." "Be it so then," replied Grahame;--"but, young man, should you wish in your future life to rise to eminence in the service of your king and country, let it be your first task to subject to the public interest, and to the discharge of your duty, your private passions, affections, and feelings.

These are not times to sacrifice to the dotage of greybeards, or the tears of silly women, the measures of salutary severity which the dangers around compel us to adopt.

And remember, that if I now yield this point, in compliance with your urgency, my present concession must exempt me from future solicitations of the same nature." He then stepped forward to the table, and bent his eyes keenly on Morton, as if to observe what effect the pause of awful suspense between death and life, which seemed to freeze the bystanders with horror, would produce upon the prisoner himself.

Morton maintained a degree of firmness, which nothing but a mind that had nothing left upon earth to love or to hope, could have supported at such a crisis.
"You see him ?" said Claverhouse, in a half whisper to Lord Evandale; "he is tottering on the verge between time and eternity, a situation more appalling than the most hideous certainty; yet his is the only cheek unblenched, the only eye that is calm, the only heart that keeps its usual time, the only nerves that are not quivering.