I alone
will do it. I alone will be responsible for all that may ensue."
"We shall all be responsible!" he rejoined. "You will not only ruin
yourself, but all your family, if this fearful step be taken. Hitherto
we have had right on our side, but henceforth we shall be more culpable
than the others."
"I am resolved upon the course," cried Lady Lake; "and all your
arguments--all your warnings will not dissuade me from it, so you may
spare your breath, Sir Thomas. As you see, I have omitted the charge of
witchcraft, and have only made the Countess confess her criminality with
Lord Roos, and of this we have had abundant proofs; nay, we should have
them still, if those condemnatory letters of hers, which had come into
our possession, had not been stolen. That mischance necessitates the
present measure. Having managed to deprive us of our weapons, Lord Roos
thinks himself secure. But he will find his mistake when this document
is produced to confound him."
"I tremble at the thought," groaned the Secretary of State.
"These fears are worse than womanish," exclaimed his lady. "Shake them
off, and be yourself. Who is to prove that the confession proceeds not
from the Countess? Not she herself; since no one will believe her. Not
Lord Roos; for he will be equally discredited. Not Diego; for his
testimony would be valueless. The Countess's hand-writing has been so
skilfully imitated, that the falsification cannot be detected. Compare
it with this note written by herself to Lady Roos, and which, though it
proves nothing, has so far answered my purpose.
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