.. I am ashamed. But I believe I may not be wrong
if I put it to you that, looking to the future and for the sake of your own
Christian dignity, it may become you to be merciful. And I pray too ... I
think we may believe ... that Mr. Trebell is feeling need of your
forgiveness. I have no more to say. [_He sits down again._]
O'CONNELL. It may be. I have never met Mr. Trebell.
HORSHAM. I tell you, Mr. O'Connell, putting aside Party, that your country
has need of this man just at this time.
_They hang upon_ O'CONNELL'S _reply. It comes with deliberation._
O'CONNELL. I suppose my point of view must be an unusual one. I notice, at
least, that twenty four hours and more has not enabled Farrant to grasp it.
FARRANT. For God's sake, O'Connell, don't be so cold-blooded. You have the
life or death of a man's reputation to decide on.
O'CONNELL. [_With a cold flash of contempt._] That's a petty enough thing
now-a-days it seems to me. There are so many clever men ... and they are all
so alike ... surely one will not be missed.
CANTELUPE. Don't you think that is only sarcasm, Mr. O'Connell?
_The voice is so gently reproving that_ O'CONNELL _must turn to him._
O'CONNELL. Will you please to make allowance, Lord Charles, for a mediaeval
scholar's contempt of modern government? You at least will partly understand
his horror as a Catholic at the modern superstitions in favour of popular
opinion and control which it encourages.
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