e?--no sophistry, no
contemplation of the results achieved, can ever make it justifiable for
a man to arrogate to himself the power of taking human life, which is
the prerogative of God and the law alone. The peculiar circumstances of
Cavendish's crime plead eloquently, almost irresistibly, for his pardon.
He has saved the state--yes! But the case is one in a million, and it is
not an individual case alone which hangs upon my decision,--it is the
establishment of a precedent, the maintenance of a principle."

"But, John," broke in Natalie eagerly, "what you've just said--isn't
that the clue for which you have been groping? He saved the state! I've
heard you talk of Alleghenia too often, of what you hoped for her, and
what you despaired of ever bringing to pass, not to know what those four
words must mean to you. Think of it! _He saved the state!_ Without any
possibility of selfish object he did this extraordinary thing--made it
possible for Alleghenia to win back the honor and respect she had so
nearly lost forever! He killed the man who had no thought of her purity
and dignity, who used the power the people had given him for the
furtherance of his own selfish and wicked ends, who made her justice a
mockery, who played with her law as if"--

"Stop!" exclaimed the Governor. "Stop--I must think. Wait a moment. I
must think--I must think!"

After a minute he began to speak again, this time in a lower tone, a
tone which suggested self-communion rather than direct address to the
girl before him.

"Yes, that's it. Wait now,--let me be sure! He killed the man who had no
thought of Alleghenia's purity, who used his power to serve his own
ends, who made her justice"--he was speaking very slowly, dwelling on
each word as it left his lips--"her _justice_ a mockery, who played with
her law--her law--her _Law_"--

He paused once more, his brows knit, his firm hand slowly stroking his
chin. Then, of a sudden, he drew a deep breath, flung back his
shoulders, and looked at her. His eyes were blazing, his voice touched
with a new meaning, an eloquence deep, firm, conclusive.

"Natalie," he said, "come here."

"You've struck the keynote," he added, when they stood face to face, a
foot or two apart. "It isn't what you thought, or what you meant, but it
is the keynote, just the same. The Law!"

He wheeled slowly, and stepped forward, until he was directly before the
emblazoned arms of Alleghenia which hung upon his wall.

"_Just