The Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves by Tobias George Smollett
page 261 of 285 (91%)
page 261 of 285 (91%)
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unless you contribute your assistance. Your assistance, therefore, I
demand, as you are a gentleman, a Christian, and a fellow-subject, who, though every other motive should be overlooked, ought to interest himself in my case as a common concern, and concur with all your power towards the punishment of those who dare commit such outrages against the liberty of your country." The doctor seemed to be a little disconcerted; but, after some recollection, resumed his air of sufficiency and importance, and assured our adventurer he would do him all the service in his power; but in the meantime advised him to take the potion he had prescribed. The knight's eyes lightening with indignation, "I am now convinced," cried he, "that you are an accomplice in the villany which has been practised upon me; that you are a sordid wretch, without principle or feeling, a disgrace to the faculty, and a reproach to human nature--yes, sirrah, you are the most perfidious of all assassins--you are the hireling minister of the worst of all villains; who, from motives even baser than malice, envy, and revenge, rob the innocent of all the comforts of life, brand them with the imputation of madness, the most cruel species of slander, and wantonly protract their misery, by leaving them in the most shocking confinement, a prey to reflections infinitely more bitter than death but I will be calm--do me justice at your peril. I demand the protection of the legislature--if I am refused--remember a day of reckoning will come--you and the rest of the miscreants who have combined against me, must, in order to cloak your treachery, have recourse to murder,--an expedient which I believe you very capable of embracing,--or a man of my rank and character cannot be much longer concealed. Tremble, caitiff, at the thoughts of my release--in the meantime, be gone, lest my just resentment impel me to dash your brains |
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