"I would not advise you to say that where you are going."
He then, while writing out the warrant, said, as a matter of course,
"Remove his mask."
The constable lifted it, and started back with a shout of dismay and
surprise: Jessie screamed.
Sir Charles looked up, and saw in the burglar he was committing for
trial his first-born, the heir to his house and his lands.
The pen fell from Sir Charles's fingers, and he stared at the wan face,
and wild, imploring eyes that stared at him.
He stared at the lad, and then put his hand to his heart, and that
heart seemed to die within him.
There was a silence, and a horror fell on all. Even Richard Bassett
quailed at what he had done.
"Ah! cruel man! cruel man!" moaned the broken father. "God judge you
for this--as now I must judge my unhappy son. Mr. Bassett, it matters
little to you what magistrate commits you, and I must keep my oath. I
am--going--to set you an--example, by signing a warrant--"
"No, no, no!" cried a woman's voice, and Mary Meyrick rushed into the
room.
Every person there thought he knew Mary Meyrick; yet she was like a
stranger to them now. There was that in her heart at that awful moment
which transfigured a handsome but vulgar woman into a superior being.
Her cheek was pale, her black eyes large, and her mellow voice had a
magic power.
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