me even the decent hypocrisies of prudence--yet now you would ask of me,
the conduct, the sympathy, the forbearance, the concession of friendship.
You wish that I should quit these scenes, where, to my judgment, a
certain advantage waits me, solely that I may lighten your breast of its
selfish fears. You dread the dangers that await me on your own account.
And in my apprehension, you forebode your own doom. You ask me, nay, not
ask, you would command, you would awe me to sacrifice my will and wishes,
in order to soothe your anxieties, and strengthen your own safety. Mark
me! Eugene Aram, I have been treated as a tool, and I will not be
governed as a friend. I will not stir from the vicinity of your home,
till my designs be fulfilled,--I enjoy, I hug myself in your torments. I
exult in the terror with which you will hear of each new enterprise, each
new daring, each new triumph of myself and my gallant comrades. And now I
am avenged for the affront you put upon me."

Though Aram trembled, with suppressed passions, from limb to limb, his
voice was still calm, and his lip even wore a smile as he answered,--"I
was prepared for this, Houseman, you utter nothing that surprises or
appalls me. You hate me; it is natural; men united as we are, rarely look
on each other with a friendly or a pitying eye. But Houseman; I know
you!--you are a man of vehement passions, but interest with you is yet
stronger than passion. If not, our conference is over. Go--and do your
worst."

"You are right, most learned scholar; I can fetter the tiger within, in
his deadliest rage, by a golden chain."

"Well, then, Houseman, it is not your interest to betray me--my
destruction is your own."