"With a damned black heart!" exclaimed Robin, whose faithful spirit beat
so warmly in his bosom that he forgot for an instant in whose presence
he stood, and gave full vent to his feelings, which doubtless he would
not have done had he seen the expression of Cromwell's countenance--that
awe-inspiring countenance which had full often sent back the unspoken
words from the open lips of bolder men who looked upon him.
"With that I have nothing to do," said the Protector calmly, after
taking another turn along the platform: "but you mistake the case--it is
only justice, simple justice."
"My Lord Protector of England," said Robin, whose thin, disproportioned
figure, as it moved in the dim light, might have been taken for a dark
spirit summoned to some incantation--"My Lord, with you it may be
justice: you believe the Buccaneer deals not only in the free trade, but
imports persons who endanger your Highness's life and the peace of your
protectorate. I believe, from my soul, that he never bore off or brought
over one of the Syndercomb gang, or any that had evil intent against
your person. There are others who deal in that way; and now, when he is
soliciting your mercy, it would speak but little for his wisdom if he
went on provoking your vengeance. My Lord, Hugh Dalton has a daughter,
and it is to save her name from ever-continuing disgrace, that he pants
for honest employment. And may it not offend your Highness, for one so
ill-read as myself in aught that is good or godly, to remind you that
the Bible somewhere tells of those who were received into pardon and
glory at the eleventh hour. As to myself, could your Highness make me
what my heart has so panted after, but as vainly as the carrion-crow
might seek to be the gallant falcon of the chase--could you give me a
well-proportioned figure--make me one who could repel an injury or
protect a friend--stretch out this dwarfish body to a proper
length--contract these arms, and place the head right well upon a goodly
pedestal--then give me wealth--rank--all a man's heart covets in this
most covetous world--weigh these advantages against a portion of Hugh
Dalton's life;--the scale turns in the air, my Lord--there's nothing
in't!"
Cromwell folded his arms in silence, while Robin, who had been much
excited, wiped the night-dew from his brow, and sighed heavily, as
having rid himself of that which weighed upon his conscience.
"One word more, young man--those who hear the Protector's wishes, and
in some degree can draw conclusions as to his projects--if--mark ye
well--if they act not upon them, if they agree not with them, they are
seldom of long life."