“Suppose you did nothing of the kind. Suppose, instead of turning off
the steam, you jump off the engine, and let the train run on?”
“Impossible. There are seventy yards of embankment gone, and—”
“Basta! I know that. Save yourself, and let the train run on. It would
be nothing but an accident.”
I turned hot and cold; I trembled; my heart beat fast, and my breath
failed.
“Why do you tempt me?” I faltered.
“For Italy’s sake,” he whispered; “for liberty’s sake. I know you are no
Italian; but, for all that, you may be a friend. This Loredano is one of
his country’s bitterest enemies. Stay, here are the two thousand
florins.”