And you, too, I hear, are taking your share in this projected
madness and iniquity?"
"What right have you," I asked, bristling up at a sudden suspicion that
crossed me, "to use such words about me?"
"Recollect," she answered, mildly but firmly, "your conduct, three years
ago, at D * * * *."
"What," I said, "was it not proved upon my trial, that I exerted all my
powers, endangered my very life, to prevent outrage in that case?"
"It was proved upon your trial," she replied, in a marked tone; "but we
were informed, and alas! from authority only too good, namely, from that of
an ear-witness, of the sanguinary and ferocious language which you were not
afraid to use at the meeting in London, only two nights before the riot."
I turned white with rage and indignation.
"Tell me," I said--"tell me, if you have any honour, who dared to forge
such an atrocious calumny! No! you need not tell me. I see well enough now.
He should have told you that I exposed myself that night to insult, not by
advocating, but by opposing violence, as I have always done--as I would
now, were not I desperate--hopeless of any other path to liberty.
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