He made her show him
the words, which he regarded with a sort of strange reverence. A
resolution once taken was usually irrevocable, in one who was moved
with so much difficulty. He put his hand upon the book, and closed the
pages himself, as much as to apprise his wife that he was satisfied.
Esther, who so well knew his character, trembled at the action, and
casting a glance at his steady eye, she said--
"And yet, Ishmael, my blood, and the blood of my children, is in his
veins, cannot mercy be shown?"
"Woman," he answered sternly, "when we believed that miserable old
trapper had done this deed, nothing was said of mercy!"
Esther made no reply, but folding her arms upon her breast, she sat
silent and thoughtful for many minutes. Then she once more turned her
anxious gaze upon the countenance of her husband, where she found all
passion and care apparently buried in the coldest apathy. Satisfied
now, that the fate of her brother was sealed, and possibly conscious
how well he merited the punishment that was meditated, she no longer
thought of mediation.
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