What have I? This scar, this brand, that sends me among men
no longer the doubtful villain--the words are written there in full!"
The speaker paused, exhausted. His face was pale and livid--his form
trembled with convulsion--and his lips grew white and chalky, while
quivering like a troubled water. The landlord, after a gloomy pause,
replied:--
"You have spoken but the truth, Guy, and anything that I can do--"
"You will not do!" responded the other, passionately, and interrupting
the speaker in his speech. "You will do nothing! You ruin me in the love
and esteem of those whom I love and esteem--you drive me into exile--you
lead me into crime, and put me upon a pursuit which teaches me practices
that brand me with man's hate and fear, and--if the churchmen speak
truth, which I believe not--with heaven's eternal punishment! What have
I left to desire but hate--blood--the blood of man--who, in driving me
away from his dwelling, has made me an unrelenting enemy--his hand
everywhere against me, and mine against him! While I had this pursuit, I
did not complain; but you now interpose to deny me even this.
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