Roxy Hastings — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ROXY HASTINGS. 95 mained the additional peril of Alfred’s detection at the moment of his attempted egress. How close the keeper’s habits of observation were they did not know, or how shght a peculiarity of face or figure, voice or movement, might excite his suspicions and subvert all their laborious schemes. Could Lee maintain the necessary composure to go coolly through this ordeal? Could he command his voice, his eye, his step? All this remained to be seen, and Louis did not fail repeatedly to caution him in regard to the neces- sity of preserving tranquil nerves. “Tt think I shall be self-possessed,” Alfred said. ‘“ You may have observed that some people, who are sadly vexed. at trifles, grow calm in the presence of a great danger. I think I belong to this class.” , “T hope it may prove so.” Kven while they conversed the gallows was in process of construction in the back yard, and Lee and Hartley both avoided the windows, for they knew too well what was going on outside. On that morning, too, an undertaker’s man, whose business Alfred well understood, had been in the prison, measuring the young lieutenant with his eye. If he could keep cool amid these combined horrors his must be a heroic soul indeed. But how was it, it will be asked, that Lieutenant Lee, brave, unselfish, and generous, as he is represented, could embrace a scheme for escape which did not include the safety of his friend? That friend compelled him. The plot, indeed, was chiefly of Louis’ invention, and by tears and entreaties, backed, doubtless, by that strong love of life which is inherent in every heart, he had induced Alfred to accede to it. “Tf they punish me,” Louis said, “it will not be eapitally, and anything short of that I shall joyfully bear to procure your escape. Do you call me friend, and yet believe that our enemies can inflict any punishment on me equal to that of seeing you led out to execution? Would not I suffer tenfold more from that than from any solitary imprisonment, or hard labor, or coarse fare ?” “T know you would suffer, Louis.” “Then save me from it. My heart will be lighter than the lark’s the moment you are safe. I care not what else comes. Besides, when once you are free, with a small portion of the wealth at your command, perhaps you can in some way effect my release.”’ age at. “T will spend my last dollar for it, Louis—if I get off,” Eomicbooks.co