A
long pause followed. Then, "And if I help you," the muffled
voice resumed, "will you swear to lead an honest life?"
But the answer may be guessed. I need not repeat the assurances,
the protestations and vows of repentance, the cries and tears of
gratitude which ensue; and to which the poor wretch, stripped of
his sullen indifference, completely abandoned himself. Suffice
it that we presently heard the clinking of coins, a word or two
of solemn advice from the cure, and a man's painful sobbing; then
the King touched my arm, and we crept down the stairs. I was for
stopping on the landing where we had hidden ourselves before; but
Henry drew me on to the foot of the stairs and into the street.
He turned towards home, and for some time did not speak. At
length he asked me what I thought of it.
"In what way, sire?"
"Do you not think," he said in a voice of much emotion, "that if
we could do what he does, and save a man instead of hanging him,
it would be better?"
"For the man, sire, doubtless," I answered drily; "but for the
State it might not be so well.
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