was irrevocably bound to them. I had
an insult to wipe out: I refrained from doing it, sincerely, I may tell
you, on the ground that this admired life of mine was precious. I will
heap no more clumsy irony on it: I can pity it. Do you see now how I
stand? I know that I cannot rely on the king's luck or on the skill of
his generals, or on the power of his army, or on the spirit in Lombardy:
neither on men nor on angels. But I cannot draw back. I have set going
a machine that's merciless. From the day it began working, every moment
has added to its force. Do not judge me by your English eyes: other
lands, other habits; other habits, other thoughts. And besides, if
honour said nothing, simple humanity would preserve me from leaving my
band to perish like a flock of sheep."

He uttered this with a profound conviction of his quality as leader,
that escaped the lurid play of self-inspection which characterized what
he had previously spoken, and served singularly in bearing witness to
the truth of his charge against himself.

"Useless!" he said, waving his hand at anticipated remonstrances.
"Look with the eyes of my country; not with your own, my friend. I am
disgraced if I do not go out. My friends are disgraced if I do not head
them in. Brescia--sacrificed!--murdered!--how can I say what? Can I live
under disgrace or remorse? The king stakes on his army; I on the king.
Whether he fights and wins, or fights and loses, I go out. I have
promised my men--promised them success, I believe!--God forgive me! Did
you ever see a fated man before? None had plotted against me. I have
woven my own web, and that's the fatal thing. I have a wife, the
sweetest woman of her time. Goodnight to her! our parting is over."

He glanced at his watch. "Perhaps she will be at the door below. Her
heart beats like mine just now. You wish to say that you think me
betrayed, and therefore I may draw back? Did you not hear that Bergamo
has risen? The Brescians are up too by this time. Gallant Brescians!
they never belie the proverb in their honour; and to die among them
would be sweet if I had all my manhood about me. You would have me
making a scene with Violetta."

"Set the woman face to face with me!" cried Merthyr, sighting a gleam of
hope.

Carlo smiled. "Can she bear my burden though she be ten times guilty?
Let her sleep. I have her here harmless for the night. The Brescians are
up:--that's an hour that has struck, and there's no calling it to