I joined with him in allowing the evil in its
fullest latitude; and, at length, after he thought he had fully
prepared my nature for such a trial of its powers and abilities, he
proposed calmly that we two should make away with Mr.
Blanchard. I was so shocked that my bosom became as it were a
void, and the beatings of my heart sounded loud and hollow in it;
my breath cut, and my tongue and palate became dry and
speechless. He mocked at my cowardice, and began a-reasoning
on the matter with such powerful eloquence that, before we
parted, I felt fully convinced that it was my bounden duty to slay
Mr. Blanchard; but my will was far, very far from consenting to
the deed.
I spent the following night without sleep, or nearly so; and the
next morning, by the time the sun arose, I was again abroad, and
in the company of my illustrious friend. The same subject was
resumed, and again he reasoned to the following purport: That
supposing me placed at the head of any army of Christian
soldiers, all bent on putting down the enemies of the Church,
would I have any hesitation in destroying and rooting out these
enemies? None, surely.
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