--Even his taking temporary refuge in that base place, though
from extreme necessity, will be used to the further defaming him. All
this I know, and yet I cannot rescue him--cannot rescue him save by
your means."
"By my means, maiden?" said the lady--"you are beside yourself!--What
means can I possess in this secluded situation, of assisting this
unfortunate nobleman?"
"You have means," said Margaret, eagerly; "you have those means,
unless I mistake greatly, which can do anything--can do everything, in
this city, in this world--you have wealth, and the command of a small
portion of it will enable me to extricate him from his present danger.
He will be enabled and directed how to make his escape--and I--" she
paused.
"Will accompany him, doubtless, and reap the fruits of your sage
exertions in his behalf?" said the Lady Hermione, ironically.
"May heaven forgive you the unjust thought, lady," answered Margaret.
"I will never see him more--but I shall have saved him, and the
thought will make me happy."
"A cold conclusion to so bold and warm a flame," said the lady, with a
smile which seemed to intimate incredulity.
"It is, however, the only one which I expect, madam--I could almost
say the only one which I wish--I am sure I will use no efforts to
bring about any other; if I am bold in his cause, I am timorous enough
in my own. During our only interview I was unable to speak a word to
him.
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