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not be suspected of knowing the cause of it:[1]

Macb. Here had we now our country's;honour roof *d,
Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present;
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness,
Than pity for mischance!

and, in a few moments, again:—

Give me some wine: fill full:
I drink to the general joy of the whole table,
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss;
Would he were here![2]

These expressions of solicitude for Banquo's safety, and regret for his absence, would have become the dissembling traitor just as naturally, if

  1. Remarks, p. 60.
  2. Macbeth, Act iii. Sc. 4.