Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/118

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THE PRIME MINISTER

Sir Robert.
[Rising and turning away.] Don't talk to me.

Margaret.
Listen again, sir. I've done no real harm here, and the worst you could do would be to charge me with espionage. But if it will save my people to accuse me of something else—something more serious, something they could be no parties to—I'll not defend myself. Your Courts shall do what they like with me—send me to the Tower if they please . . . execute me, shoot me . . .

Sir Robert.
It may be the Tower, in any case, my girl.

Margaret.
You mean for me?

Sir Robert.
For all of you.

Margaret.
[Gasping with horror.] Do you mean that—that their lives are in danger? [Sir Robert nods without speaking. Margaret gasps.] Oh! [After a breathless moment, panting.] Sir Robert Temple, you are great and powerful. I am only a woman—let me go.

Sir Robert.
Go, if you wish to. [With a little cry of joy she is making for the door, when he raises his hand.] But, if you are wise, you'll stay where you are—for the