"What think you of my life, gentlemen?"
Cyrus Harding extended his hand to the ci-devant prince and replied
gravely, "Sir, your error was in supposing that the past can be
resuscitated, and in contending against inevitable progress. It is one
of those errors which some admire, others blame; which God alone can
judge. He who is mistaken in an action which he sincerely believes to
be right may be an enemy, but retains our esteem. Your error is one
that we may admire, and your name has nothing to fear from the judgment
of history, which does not condemn heroic folly, but its results."
The old man's breast swelled with emotion, and raising his hand to
heaven--
"Was I wrong, or in the right?" he murmured.
Cyrus Harding replied, "All great actions return to God, from whom they
are derived. Captain Nemo, we, whom you have succoured, shall ever
mourn your loss."
Herbert, who had drawn near the captain, fell on his knees and kissed
his hand.
A tear glistened in the eyes of the dying man. "My child," he said,
"may God bless you!"
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Note 1. The history of Captain Nemo has, in fact, been published under
the title of _Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea_. Here, therefore,
will apply the observation already made as to the adventures of Ayrton
with regard to the discrepancy of dates. Readers should therefore refer
to the note already published on this point.
Note 2. This refers to the insurrection of the Candiotes, who were, in
fact largely assisted by Captain Nemo.