because Eustace laid a restraining hand on his arm.

"Do you mean to tell me, sir, that every man has not received justice
at the tribunal of this country?" exclaimed Lord Erymanth.

Perhaps he recollected that he was speaking to the son of a convict,
for there was a moment's pause, into which I launched myself. "Dear
Lord Erymanth," I said, "we all know that my poor brothers did offend
against the laws and were sentenced according to them. They said so
themselves, and that they were mistaken, did they not, Harold?"

Harold bent his head.

"And owing to whom?" demanded Lord Elymanth. "I never thought of
blaming those two poor lads as I did that fellow who led them astray. I
did all I could to save their lives; if they were alive this moment I
would wish nothing better than to bring them home, but as to asking me
to forward a petition in favour of the hoary old rebel that perverted
them, I should think it a crime."

"But," I said, "if you would only read this, you would see that what
they wanted to explain was that the man who turned king's evidence did
not show how Count Prometesky tried to withhold them."

"Count, indeed! Just like all women. All those Poles are Counts! All
Thaddeuses of Warsaw!"

"That's hard," I said. "I only called him Count because it would have
shocked you if I had given him no prefix. Will you not see what poor
Ambrose wanted to say for him?"

"Ah!" said Lord Erymanth, after a pause, in which he had really glanced
over the paper. "Poor boys! It goes to my heart to think what fine
fellows were lost there, but compassion for them cannot soften me
towards the man who practised on their generous, unsuspecting youth. I
am quite aware that Prometesky saved life at the fire, and his
punishment was commuted on that account, contrary to my judgment, for
it is a well-known axiom, that the author of a riot is responsible for
all the outrages committed in it, and it is undeniable that the whole
insurrection was his work. I am quite aware that the man had amiable,
even fascinating qualities, and great enthusiasm, but here lay the
great danger and seduction to young minds, and though I can perfectly
understand the warm sympathy and generous sentiment that actuates my
young friends, and though I much regret the being obliged to deny the
first request of one to whom, I may say, I owe my life, I must
distinctly refuse to take any part in relieving Count Stanislas
Prometesky from the penalty h