Unless I have rest I think I
shall go mad and give myself up to the provost-marshal to be shot
and done with."
"Why do you talk of being shot? You have done nothing to deserve
that. Why should you fear it?"
Now Mr. Butler was aware - having gathered the information lately
on his travels - of the undertaking given by the British to the
Council of Regency with regard to himself. But irresponsible
egotist though he might be, yet in common with others he was
actuated by the desire which his sister's fragile loveliness
inspired in every one to spare her unnecessary pain or anxiety.
"It's not myself will take any risks," he said again. "We are at
war, and when men are at war killing becomes a sort of habit, and
one life more or less is neither here nor there." And upon that
he renewed his plea that she should hide him if she could and that
on no account should she tell a single soul - and Sir Terence least
of any - of his presence.
Having driven him to the verge of frenzy by the waste of precious
moments in vain argument, she gave him at last the promise he
required. "Go back to the bushes there," she bade him, "and wait
until I come for you. I will make sure that the coast is clear.
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