I could not see the expression of his countenance, but I felt the arm tremble upon which my hand was placed.
"'Then you shall not leave this place,' said he.
"'Very well,' cried I, 'then the place of my punishment will be that of my tomb.

I will die here, and you will see if a phantom that accuses is not more terrible than a living being that threatens!' "'You shall have no weapon left in your power.' "'There is a weapon which despair has placed within the reach of every creature who has the courage to use it.

I will allow myself to die with hunger.' "'Come,' said the wretch, 'is not peace much better than such a war as that?
I will restore you to liberty this moment; I will proclaim you a piece of immaculate virtue; I will name you the Lucretia of England.' "'And I will say that you are the Sextus.

I will denounce you before men, as I have denounced you before God; and if it be necessary that, like Lucretia, I should sign my accusation with my blood, I will sign it.' "'Ah!' said my enemy, in a jeering tone, 'that's quite another thing.

My faith! everything considered, you are very well off here.