"It were better for you--far better--that Giuse had died of the wound you gave him." "Why, what on earth has Giuse to do with this matter?" I demanded. Indeed I had all but forgotten Giuse's existence. "Only this; that had Giuse died, they would have killed you out of hand in _vendetta_." "You are an amiable race, you Corsicans!" "And you came, cavalier, meaning to reign over us! Now, I have taken a liking to you and will give you a warning. Be like your father, and give up all for love." "Suppose," said I, after a pause, "that for love I choose rather to dare all?" "Signore"--he stepped back and, raising himself erect, flung out both hands passionately--"Take her, if you must take her, away from Corsica! She is innocent, but here they will never understand. What she did she did for her brother, far from home: yet he--he has no thanks, no bowels of pity, and here at home it is killing her! There was a young man, a noble, head of the family of Rocca Serra by Sartene--" Marc'antonio broke off, trembling. "You must finish," said I, in a voice cold and slow as the chilled blood about my heart. "There was no harm in her. By her brother's will they were betrothed. She hated the youth, and he--he was eager--until the day before the marriage--" "What happened, Marc'antonio?" "He slew himself, cavalier. Some story reached him, and he slew himself with his own gun. O cavalier, if you can help us, take her away from Corsica!" He cast up both hands and ran from me. CHAPTER XX. I LEARN OF LIBERTY, AND AM RESTORED TO IT. "A! Fredome is a noble thing: Fredome mayse man to haif liking." BARBOUR, _The Bruce_. "Non enim propter gloriam divitas aut honores pugnanus, sed propter libertatem solummodo, quam nemo bonus nisi cum vita amittit.--" _Lit. Comit. et Baron_. Scotoe ad Pap. A.D. 1320 (quoted by BOSWELL). "When corn ripeth in every steade Mury it is in feld and hyde; Sinne hit is and shame to chyde. Knyghtis wolleth on huntyng ride, The deor galopith by wodis side, He that can his tyme abyde, At his wille him schal betyde." _Alisaunder_.