|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 55
I summoned up my courage as well as I might. I began by saying that I
claimed no more than the liberty of thought and action which I knew the
Court desired to concede. I said that my arrival at the place was
mysterious even to myself, and that I had simply acted under orders in
accompanying Cynthia, and in seeing that she was securely bestowed. I
said that I had never incited any rebellion, or any disobedience to laws
of the scope of which I had never been informed. That I had indeed
frankly discussed matters of general interest with any citizen who
seemed to desire it; that I had been always treated with marked
consideration and courtesy; and that, as far as I was aware, I had
always followed the same policy myself. I said that I was sincerely
attached to Cynthia, but added that, with all due respect, I could no
longer consider myself a member of the community. I had transferred
myself elsewhere under direct orders, with my own entire concurrence,
and that I had since acted in accordance with the customs and
regulations of the community to which I had been allotted. I went on to
say that I had returned under the impression that my presence was
desired by Cynthia, and that I must protest with all my power against
the treatment I had received. I had been arrested and imprisoned with
much violence and contumely, without having had any opportunity of
hearing what my offence was supposed to have been, or having had any
semblance of a trial, and that I could not consider that my usage had
been consistent with the theory of courtesy, order, or justice so
eloquently described by the President.
This onslaught of mine produced an obvious revulsion in my favour. The
President conferred hastily with his colleagues, and then said that my
arrest had indeed been made upon the information of Lucius, and with the
cognisance of the Court; but that he sincerely regretted that I had any
complaint of unhandsome usage to make, and that the matter would be
certainly inquired into. He then added that he understood from my words
that I desired to make a complete submission, and that in that case I
should be acquitted of any evil intentions. My fault appeared to be that
I had yielded too easily to the promptings of an ill-balanced and
speculative disposition, and that if I would undertake to disturb no
longer the peace of the place, and to desist from all further tampering
with the domestic happiness of a much-respected pair, I should be
discharged with a caution, and indeed be admitted again to the
privileges of orderly residence.
"And I will undertake to say," he added, "that the kindness and courtesy
of our community will overlook your fault, and make no further reference
to a course of conduct which appears to have been misguided rather than
deliberately malevolent. We have every desire not to disturb in any way
the tranquillity which it is, above all things, our desire to maintain.
May I conclude, then, that this is your intention?"
"No, sir," I said, "certainly not! With all due respect to the Court,
I cannot submit to the jurisdiction. The only privilege I claim is the
privilege of an alien and a stranger, who in a perfectly peaceful
manner, and with no seditious intent, has re-entered this land, and has
thereupon been treated with gross and unjust violence. I do not for a
moment contest the right of this community to make its own laws and
regulations, but I do contest its right to fetter the thought and the
liberty of speech of all who enter it. I make no submission. The Lady
Cynthia came here under my protection, and if any undue influence has
been used, it has been used by Lucius, whom I treated with a confidence
he has abused. And I here appeal to a higher power and a higher court,
which may indeed permit this unhappy community to make its own
regulations, but will not permit any gross violation of elementary
justice."
I was carried away by great indignation in the course of my words, which
had a very startling effect. A large number of the audience left the
hall in haste. The judge grew white to the lips, whether with anger or
fear I did not know, said a few words to his neighbour, and then with a
great effort to control himself, said to me:
"You put us, sir, by your words, in a very painful position. You do not
know the conditions under which we live--that is evident--and
intemperate language like yours has before now provoked an invasion of
our peace of a most undesirable kind. I entreat you to calm yourself, to
accept the apologies of the Court for the incidental and indeed
unjustifiable violence with which you were treated. If you will only
return to your own community, the nature of which I will not now stay to
inquire, you may be assured that you will be conducted to our gates with
the utmost honour. Will you pledge yourself as a gentleman, and, as I
believe I am right in saying, as a Christian, to do this?"
"Yes," I said, "upon one condition: that I may have an interview with
the Lady Cynthia, and that she may be free to accompany me, if she
wishes."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|