"You have acted wrongfully,--very wrongfully, Viviana," interposed Garnet: "but since you are fully convinced of your error, no more need be said. There are seasons when the heart must be closed against compassion, and when mercy becomes injustice. Go to your chamber, and leave us to deal with this unhappy man."
"To-morrow you must quit us," observed Fawkes, as she passed him.
"Quit you!" she exclaimed. "I will never offend again."
"I will not trust you," replied Fawkes, "unless--but it is useless to impose restrictions upon you, which you will not--perhaps, cannot observe."
"Impose any restrictions you please," replied Viviana. "But do not bid me leave you."
"The time is come when we _must_ separate," rejoined Fawkes. "See you not that the course we are taking is slippery with blood, and beset with perils which the firmest of your sex could not encounter?"
"I will encounter them nevertheless," replied Viviana. "Be merciful," she added, pointing to Tresham, "and mercy shall be shown you in your hour of need." And she slowly withdrew.
While this was passing, Catesby addressed a few words aside to Keyes and Oldcorne, and now stepping forward, and fixing his eye steadily upon the prisoner, to note the effect of his speech upon him, said--
"I have devised a plan by which the full extent of Tresham's treachery can be ascertained."
"You do not mean to torture him, I trust?" exclaimed Garnet, uneasily.
"No, father," replied Catesby. "If torture is inflicted at all, it will be upon the mind, not the body."
"Then it will be no torture," observed Garnet. "State your plan, my son."
"It is this," returned Catesby. "He shall write a letter to Lord Mounteagle, stating that he has important revelations to make to him, and entreating him to come hither unattended."
"Here," repeated Catesby; "and alone. We will conceal ourselves in such manner that we may overhear what passes between them, and if any attempt is made by the villain to betray our presence, he shall be immediately shot. By this means we cannot fail to elicit the truth."
"I approve your plan, my son," replied Garnet; "but who will convey the letter to Lord Mounteagle?"
"I will," replied Fawkes. "Let it be prepared at once, and the case will be thought the more urgent. I will watch him, and see that he comes unattended, or give you timely warning."