something of that spirit which had actuated Sir Peregrine, and had almost thought that justice demanded a verdict against her friend.
'Do not let her be over-confident,' Mr. Aram had said. But in truth Mrs. Orme, as she had listened to Mr. Furnival's speech, had become almost confident that Lady Mason would be acquitted. It had seemed to her impossible that any jury should pronounce her to be guilty after that speech. The state of her mind as she listened to it had been very painful. Lady Mason's hand had rested in her own during a great portion of it; and it would have been natural that she should give some encouragement to her companion by a touch, by a slight pressure, as the warm words of praise fell from the lawyer's mouth. But how could she do so, knowing that the praise was false? It was not possible to her to show her friendship by congratulating her friend on the success of a lie. Lady Mason also had, no doubt, felt this, for after a while her hand had been withdrawn, and they had both listened in silence, giving no signs to each other as to their feelings on the subject.
But as they sat together in the carriage Lucius did give vent to his feelings. 'I cannot understand why all that should not have been said before, and said in a manner to have been as convincing as it was to-day.'
'I suppose there was no opportunity before the trial,' said Mrs. Orme, feeling that she must say something, but feeling also how impossible it was to speak on the subject with any truth in the presence both of Lady Mason and her son.
'But an occasion should have been made,' said Lucius. 'It is monstrous that my mother should have been subjected to this accusation for months and that no one till now should have spoken out to show how impossible it is that she should have been guilty.'
'Ah! Lucius, you do not understand,' said his mother.
'And I hope I never may,' said he. 'Why did not the jury get up in their seats at once and pronounce their verdict when Mr. Furnival's speech was over? Why should they wait there, giving another day of prolonged trouble, knowing as they must do what their verdict will be? To me all this is incomprehensible, seeing that no good can in any way come from it.'
And so he went on, striving to urge his companions to speak upon a subject which to them did not admit of speech in his presence. It was very painful to them, for in addressing Mrs. Orme he almost demanded from her some expression of triumph. 'You at least have believed in her innocence,' he said at last, 'and have not been ashamed to show that you did so.'
'Lucius,' said his mother, 'we are very weary; do not speak to us now. Let us rest till we are at home.' Then they closed their eyes and there was silence till the carriage drove up to the door of Orley Farm House.
