"We
then
found
ourselves
at
a
loss
where
to
look
for
such
a
confidential
auxiliary
and
adviser
;
when
one
of
our
assembly
spoke
in
this
manner
:
—
'
I
came
to
this
country
,
as
you
well
know
,
at
the
same
time
as
his
Highness
the
Prince
.
From
that
period
until
the
present
day
I
have
frequently
seen
his
Highness
;
and
I
became
aware
of
the
acquaintance
which
subsisted
between
his
Highness
and
an
English
gentleman
of
the
name
of
Richard
Markham
,
who
was
introduced
to
his
Highness
by
the
late
Thomas
Armstrong
.
I
am
also
aware
that
a
misunderstanding
arose
between
the
Prince
and
Mr.
Markham
:
the
nature
of
that
misunderstanding
I
never
learnt
;
but
I
am
aware
that
,
even
while
it
existed
,
Richard
Markham
behaved
in
the
most
noble
manner
in
a
temporary
difficulty
in
which
his
Highness
was
involved
.
I
also
know
that
the
motives
which
led
to
that
misunderstanding
have
been
completely
cleared
away
,
and
that
the
Prince
now
speaks
in
the
highest
terms
of
Mr.
Richard
Markham
.
Address
yourselves
,
then
,
to
Mr.
Markham
:
he
is
a
man
of
honour
;
and
with
him
your
secret
is
safe
,
even
if
he
should
decline
to
meet
your
views
.
'
—
Thus
spoke
our
friend
last
night
;
and
now
the
cause
and
object
of
my
visit
are
explained
to
you
.
"
"
You
have
spoken
with
a
candour
and
frankness
which
go
far
to
conquer
any
scruples
that
I
might
entertain
in
assisting
you
,
"
said
Richard
.
"
At
the
same
time
,
so
important
a
matter
demands
mature
consideration
.
Should
I
consent
to
accept
the
office
with
which
you
seek
to
honour
me
,
I
should
not
be
a
mere
lukewarm
agent
:
I
should
enter
heart
and
soul
into
your
undertaking
;
nor
should
I
content
myself
with
simply
succouring
you
in
an
administrative
capacity
.
Oh
!
no
,
"
added
Richard
,
enthusiastically
,
as
he
thought
of
Isabella
,
"
I
would
accompany
you
on
your
expedition
when
the
time
came
,
and
I
would
bear
arms
in
your
most
righteous
cause
.
"
"
Generous
young
man
!
"
cried
the
Colonel
,
grasping
our
hero
's
hand
with
true
military
frankness
:
"
God
grant
that
your
answer
may
be
favourable
to
us
.
But
pray
delay
not
in
announcing
your
decision
.
"
"
This
time
to-morrow
evening
I
will
be
prepared
to
give
you
an
answer
,
"
returned
Markham
.
The
Colonel
then
took
his
leave
,
saying
,
"
To-morrow
evening
I
will
call
again
.
"
CHAPTER
CLVI
.
THE
DECISION
.
Richard
Markham
retired
to
rest
,
but
not
to
immediate
slumber
.
The
proposal
of
Colonel
Morosino
was
of
a
most
perplexing
nature
.
Our
hero
longed
to
be
enabled
to
show
his
devotion
to
Isabella
by
exerting
himself
in
what
must
eventually
prove
her
father
's
cause
;
but
he
was
afraid
of
acting
in
a
manner
which
might
displease
the
Prince
.
Then
he
reflected
that
the
Prince
had
uttered
those
expressive
words
,
"
Were
I
less
than
I
am
,
I
would
consent
to
take
up
arms
in
defence
of
the
liberties
of
Castelcicala
.
"
The
more
Richard
pondered
upon
these
words
,
the
more
was
he
inclined
towards
the
service
proposed
to
him
;
and
when
he
remembered
that
he
should
be
associated
with
some
of
the
most
gallant
and
disinterested
of
Italian
patriots
,
he
felt
a
generous
ardour
animate
his
bosom
.
"
Oh
!
if
I
could
but
achieve
some
deed
that
would
render
me
worthy
of
Isabella
,
"
he
thought
,
"
how
should
I
bless
the
day
when
I
adopted
the
cause
of
those
brave
exiles
who
now
seek
my
aid
!
Yes
—
I
will
join
them
,
heart
and
soul
;
and
in
me
they
shall
have
no
lukewarm
supporter
!
The
die
is
cast
;
—
and
this
resolution
must
either
make
or
mar
me
for
ever
!
"
Richard
then
gradually
fell
into
a
profound
slumber
:
but
the
subjects
of
his
latest
thoughts
became
the
materials
of
which
his
dreams
were
woven
.
Imagination
carried
him
away
from
his
native
land
,
and
whirled
him
on
board
a
vessel
which
was
within
sight
of
the
Castelcicalan
coasts
.
Presently
a
descent
upon
the
land
was
effected
;
and
then
Richard
fancied
himself
to
be
involved
in
the
thickest
of
a
deadly
fight
.
Next
he
saw
himself
entering
Montoni
at
the
head
of
a
victorious
army
;
and
it
seemed
to
him
as
if
he
were
the
object
of
attraction
—
as
if
the
salutations
of
countless
multitudes
were
addressed
to
him
—
and
as
if
he
returned
them
!
Then
the
scene
changed
,
by
one
of
those
rapid
transitions
so
peculiar
to
dreams
;
and
he
found
himself
standing
at
the
altar
,
the
lovely
Isabella
by
his
side
.
A
tiara
of
diamonds
adorned
her
brow
and
on
his
own
was
a
princely
coronet
.
Then
the
ceremony
was
completed
;
and
friends
with
smiling
countenances
gathered
around
to
congratulate
him
and
his
lovely
bride
;
and
the
swelling
words
"
Your
Highness
"
and
"
My
Lord
"
echoed
upon
his
ears
.
He
turned
to
address
his
thanks
to
those
who
thus
felicitated
him
—
and
awoke
!
"
A
dream
—
a
dream
!
"
he
exclaimed
,
as
the
gay
pageantry
of
the
vision
yet
dwelt
vividly
in
his
mind
:
"
but
will
the
most
happy
episode
therein
ever
be
fulfilled
?
"
Richard
rose
with
depressed
spirits
;
for
a
dream
of
that
nature
—
by
raising
us
to
the
highest
eminence
to
which
our
aspirations
ever
soared
,
and
then
dashing
us
back
again
to
the
cold
realities
of
earth
—
invariably
leads
to
a
powerful
reaction
.
The
day
passed
without
any
incident
of
importance
;
and
by
the
time
the
evening
arrived
,
Richard
had
recovered
his
mental
serenity
.
Punctual
to
his
appointment
,
Colonel
Morosino
made
his
appearance
.
He
came
in
a
chaise
,
accompanied
by
another
individual
;
but
the
latter
did
not
alight
from
the
vehicle
.
"
Mr.
Markham
,
"
said
the
Colonel
,
when
he
was
alone
with
our
hero
,
in
the
library
,
"
have
you
made
up
your
mind
?
"
"
I
have
,
"
answered
Richard
,
in
a
decided
tone
.
"
And
your
decision
—
—
"
"
Is
to
join
you
,
heart
and
soul
—
to
throw
myself
with
enthusiasm
into
your
cause
—
to
co-operate
with
you
as
if
I
were
a
Castelcicalan
subject
,
"
said
Richard
,
his
handsome
countenance
glowing
with
animation
,
his
fine
dark
eyes
flashing
fire
,
and
his
nostrils
dilating
with
the
ardour
which
filled
his
soul
.
"
I
am
no
prophet
,
if
you
ever
repent
this
decision
,
"
said
Colonel
Morosino
,
pressing
Richard
's
hands
warmly
.
"
Will
you
now
permit
me
to
introduce
a
gentleman
who
has
accompanied
me
?
"
"
With
much
pleasure
,
"
answered
Markham
.
The
Colonel
stepped
out
,
and
at
the
expiration
of
a
few
moments
returned
,
accompanied
by
a
tall
,
thin
,
military-looking
man
,
whose
lofty
bearing
and
eagle
eye
bespoke
him
as
one
who
had
been
accustomed
to
command
.
"
Mr.
Markham
,
"
said
the
Colonel
,
"
may
you
soon
become
better
acquainted
with
General
Grachia
.
"
The
veteran
proffered
Richard
his
hand
with
true
military
frankness
,
and
observed
,
"
I
rejoice
to
find
that
your
decision
is
favourable
to
our
views
.
"
"
You
will
also
find
that
I
shall
be
zealous
and
unwearied
in
your
service
,
"
rejoined
Markham
.
"
Our
proceedings
,
"
continued
General
Grachia
,
"
must
be
conducted
with
caution
,
so
that
no
rumour
prejudicial
to
our
measures
may
reach
Castelcicala
.
"
"
I
believe
it
to
be
understood
,
"
said
Markham
,
"
that
should
the
Grand
Duke
change
his
policy
to
such
an
extent
that
the
Castelcicalans
may
obtain
their
just
rights
and
privileges
by
means
of
his
concessions
,
before
our
own
projects
shall
be
ripe
for
execution
,
—
that
,
in
this
case
,
we
at
once
abandon
them
.
"
"
Assuredly
,
"
replied
General
Grachia
.
"
God
knows
the
purity
of
my
motives
,
and
that
I
would
not
plunge
my
country
into
civil
war
without
the
pressure
of
a
dire
necessity
.
Neither
am
I
adopting
extreme
measures
from
vindictive
motives
because
the
Grand
Duke
has
banished
me
not
only
from
office
but
also
from
the
territory
.
Had
I
assented
to
his
despotic
decrees
I
might
have
retained
my
high
position
in
the
cabinet
,
and
aggrandized
my
own
fortunes
at
the
same
time
.
As
a
proof
of
my
integrity
,
Mr.
Markham
,
read
this
document
.
"
The
General
produced
from
his
pocket-book
a
letter
which
had
been
sealed
with
the
ducal
signet
,
and
was
addressed
"
To
His
Excellency
General
Grachia
,
Minister
Secretary
of
State
for
the
Department
of
War
.
"
This
document
he
handed
to
Richard
,
who
found
that
it
was
an
autograph
letter
from
the
Grand
Duke
to
the
General
,
written
at
the
time
when
the
military
disturbances
occurred
at
Montoni
.
It
remonstrated
with
General
Grachia
for
refusing
to
countersign
the
ordinance
decreeing
the
disbandment
of
the
three
regiments
,
and
promising
him
the
rank
of
Marquis
and
the
Premiership
if
he
would
but
consent
to
aid
his
Serene
Highness
in
carrying
out
the
proposed
rigorous
measures
.
"
To
this
letter
I
replied
by
sending
in
my
resignation
,
"
said
General
Grachia
;
"
and
thus
I
wrecked
my
own
fortunes
,
and
made
my
wife
and
children
exiles
.
"
"
You
acted
nobly
—
like
a
true
patriot
,
"
cried
Markham
,
contemplating
the
veteran
with
admiration
.
"
If
for
one
instant
I
entertained
a
scruple
in
embracing
your
cause
,
it
is
now
annihilated
;
for
you
have
honoured
me
with
the
most
convincing
proofs
of
your
patriotism
.
"
"
I
served
the
Grand
Duke
faithfully
,
"
said
the
General
;
"
and
I
cannot
reproach
myself
for
any
measure
which
I
ever
recommended
to
his
Serene
Highness
.
Although
deeply
attached
to
Prince
Alberto
,
I
did
not
oppose
the
marriage
of
the
Grand
Duke
;
because
I
believed
that
,
upon
principle
,
sovereigns
are
entitled
to
as
much
freedom
in
affairs
so
nearly
touching
their
domestic
happiness
,
as
any
of
their
subjects
.
I
saw
in
the
present
Grand
Duchess
an
amiable
lady
;
and
I
knew
that
she
was
a
virtuous
one
from
the
strong
recommendations
which
she
received
from
his
Highness
Prince
Alberto
and
the
Earl
of
Warrington
to
myself
and
my
family
.
I
supported
,
then
,
that
marriage
upon
principle
—
upon
a
conviction
which
I
entertain
.
I
believe
that
sovereigns
have
a
right
to
consult
their
own
happiness
in
marriage
;
but
I
never
will
admit
that
they
have
a
right
to
enslave
their
subjects
.
I
will
maintain
the
privileges
of
princes
,
when
I
consider
them
encroached
upon
by
the
people
:
with
equal
readiness
will
I
protect
the
people
against
the
tyranny
of
princes
.
"
Richard
listened
with
admiration
to
these
noble
sentiments
;
and
he
could
not
help
exclaiming
,
"
How
blind
sovereigns
often
seem
to
the
merits
and
honesty
of
those
who
would
counsel
them
wisely
!
"
"
Such
is
too
frequently
the
case
,
"
observed
Colonel
Morosino
.
"
The
plan
upon
which
I
propose
to
act
is
simply
this
,
"
resumed
General
Grachia
:
—
"
one
of
the
most
humble
,
but
not
the
least
sincere
,
of
those
refugees
who
support
us
,
will
take
a
house
in
London
in
his
own
name
;
and
there
shall
our
head-quarters
be
fixed
.
There
shall
we
hold
our
meetings
;
and
thence
will
our
correspondence
be
expedited
to
those
whom
we
can
trust
,
and
on
whose
support
we
can
rely
.
In
order
to
avoid
all
cause
of
suspicion
,
I
shall
take
a
house
for
myself
and
suite
at
the
West
End
,
where
I
shall
,
however
,
lead
a
comparatively
secluded
life
.
Fortunately
,
the
greater
portion
of
my
property
consisted
in
money
in
the
public
funds
of
Castelcicala
;
and
for
that
I
obtained
securities
which
may
be
easily
realised
in
London
.
My
friend
Morosino
stands
in
the
same
position
.
Between
us
we
can
muster
some
twenty
thousand
pounds
;
and
other
exiles
,
who
are
favourable
to
our
views
,
can
throw
ten
thousand
more
into
the
common
stock
.
"
"
To
which
I
shall
also
be
permitted
to
contribute
my
quota
,
"
interrupted
Richard
.
"
Not
if
we
can
manage
without
it
,
"
answered
General
Grachia
;
"
and
I
have
no
doubt
that
pecuniary
resources
will
not
be
wanting
in
this
good
cause
.
"
The
General
then
proceeded
to
a
more
detailed
development
of
his
plans
;
but
as
we
shall
have
to
deal
with
them
fully
hereafter
,
we
will
take
leave
of
the
subject
for
the
present
.
Before
we
conclude
this
chapter
we
must
record
two
or
three
little
incidents
that
maintain
the
continuous
thread
of
our
narrative
.
A
week
after
the
demise
of
Miss
Gregory
,
the
funeral
took
place
at
a
suburban
cemetery
.
The
bereaved
father
and
afflicted
brothers
were
the
chief
mourners
;
but
Richard
also
followed
the
remains
of
the
departed
girl
to
the
tomb
.
An
elegant
but
chaste
and
unassuming
monument
marks
the
spot
where
she
reposes
in
her
narrow
bed
.
At
the
expiration
of
the
seven
days
during
which
she
had
been
remanded
,
Katherine
was
examined
a
second
time
before
the
magistrate
,
and
was
fully
committed
for
trial
.
A
Coroner
's
Inquest
had
in
the
meantime
recorded
a
verdict
of
Wilful
Murder
against
her
.
She
was
accordingly
conveyed
to
Newgate
.
But
Richard
Markham
did
not
neglect
her
interests
;
and
Morris
Benstead
was
busy
in
adopting
every
possible
measure
to
fathom
the
deep
mystery
in
which
the
awful
deed
was
still
shrouded
.
CHAPTER
CLVII
.
THE
TRIAL
OF
KATHERINE
WILMOT
.
The
March
sessions
of
the
Central
Criminal
Court
commenced
upon
a
Monday
morning
,
as
usual
.
On
the
Wednesday
Katherine
Wilmot
was
placed
in
the
dock
,
to
take
her
trial
for
the
murder
of
Matilda
Kenrick
.
The
particulars
of
the
case
had
produced
a
great
sensation
;
and
the
door-keepers
of
the
gallery
of
the
court
reaped
a
rich
harvest
by
the
fees
for
admission
.
Katherine
was
deadly
pale
;
but
she
had
made
up
her
mind
to
conduct
herself
with
fortitude
;
and
her
demeanour
was
resigned
and
tranquil
.
Richard
Markham
was
in
the
gallery
of
the
court
;
but
his
manner
was
uneasy
and
anxious
:
—
he
had
heard
nothing
of
Benstead
,
the
policeman
,
for
the
preceding
forty-eight
hours
;
and
not
a
fact
had
that
individual
communicated
to
the
counsel
for
the
prisoner
which
might
tend
to
prove
her
innocence
or
even
throw
a
doubt
upon
her
guilt
!
When
called
upon
to
answer
to
the
indictment
,
Katherine
pleaded
,
in
a
firm
tone
,
"
Not
Guilty
.
"
The
counsel
for
the
prosecution
then
stated
the
case
,
which
was
supported
by
the
following
testimony
:
—
Henry
Massey
deposed
:
"
I
am
a
surgeon
,
and
reside
in
Great
Coram
Street
.
One
evening
,
early
in
February
,
a
young
female
came
to
my
shop
and
purchased
two
ounces
of
laudanum
.
She
brought
no
phial
with
her
.
I
gave
it
to
her
in
a
phial
of
my
own
,
which
I
labelled
Poison
.
On
the
following
evening
I
was
summoned
to
the
house
of
the
Rev.
Mr.
Tracy
.
I
was
introduced
into
the
kitchen
,
where
I
found
the
deceased
lying
back
in
her
chair
quite
dead
.
A
young
female
was
there
;
and
I
recognised
her
to
be
the
one
who
had
purchased
the
poison
at
my
shop
.
She
is
the
prisoner
at
the
bar
.
From
this
circumstance
and
others
which
transpired
,
I
suspected
her
to
have
poisoned
the
deceased
;
and
I
had
her
given
into
custody
.
The
Rev.
Mr.
Tracy
was
in
the
kitchen
when
I
arrived
.
He
was
doing
all
he
could
to
recover
the
deceased
.
He
was
deeply
affected
.
On
the
following
day
I
examined
the
deceased
,
and
found
that
she
had
died
by
poison
.
That
poison
was
laudanum
.
I
discovered
so
large
a
quantity
in
her
,
by
the
usual
tests
,
that
she
must
have
experienced
a
deep
lethargy
almost
immediately
after
taking
the
poison
,
and
could
not
have
lived
many
minutes
.
I
cannot
say
that
she
did
not
take
it
voluntarily
,
and
with
the
object
of
committing
suicide
.
There
was
nothing
upon
the
table
near
her
—
no
cup
,
glass
,
nor
any
drinking
vessel
.
The
phial
produced
is
the
one
in
which
I
sold
the
poison
.
"
Thomas
Parker
deposed
:
"
I
am
footman
to
the
Rev.
Mr.
Tracy
.
On
the
morning
of
the
day
when
the
housekeeper
was
poisoned
,
I
overheard
a
conversation
between
her
and
Katherine
Wilmot
.
The
deceased
informed
Katherine
that
she
must
leave
the
house
,
but
would
not
assign
any
reason
.
The
deceased
,
however
,
said
that
she
would
provide
for
Katherine
at
a
sister
's
in
the
country
.
Katherine
objected
to
leave
London
,
because
her
relations
live
here
.
I
thought
Mrs.
Kenrick
was
jealous
of
Katherine
,
and
wished
to
get
rid
of
her
.
I
mean
that
deceased
thought
that
Katherine
would
perhaps
be
entrusted
to
fulfil
some
of
her
duties
as
housekeeper
.
I
came
out
of
the
pantry
,
where
I
was
cleaning
the
plate
,
and
observed
that
I
supposed
Mrs.
Kenrick
was
jealous
of
Katherine
.
The
housekeeper
cut
the
matter
short
by
saying
that
Katherine
should
leave
.
Katherine
was
very
miserable
all
day
afterwards
.
In
the
evening
my
master
sent
me
with
a
letter
to
a
gentleman
at
Holloway
.
When
I
came
back
,
I
found
the
housekeeper
dead
.
The
first
witness
was
there
,
in
the
kitchen
.
So
were
my
master
,
Katherine
,
and
the
groom
.
I
alluded
to
the
conversation
which
had
taken
place
between
the
deceased
and
the
prisoner
in
the
morning
.
The
surgeon
mentioned
about
Katherine
having
bought
the
laudanum
at
his
house
.
Katherine
seemed
very
much
confused
.
She
was
then
given
into
custody
.
"
James
Martin
deposed
:
"
I
am
groom
and
coachman
to
the
Rev.
Mr.
Tracy
.
On
the
evening
in
question
I
heard
screams
in
the
yard
.
I
was
in
the
stable
adjoining
.
There
is
a
communication
between
the
yard
of
the
house
and
the
stable
yard
.
I
hastened
to
the
yard
of
the
house
where
the
screams
came
from
.
I
saw
Katherine
wringing
her
hands
and
crying
.
I
asked
her
what
was
the
matter
?
She
said
,
'
Mrs.
Kenrick
is
dead
.
'
I
hurried
into
the
kitchen
.
Almost
immediately
afterwards
Mr.
Tracy
came
in
.
He
had
been
alarmed
by
the
screams
too
,
he
said
.
I
found
the
housekeeper
lying
forward
on
the
table
,
with
her
face
resting
on
her
arms
,
as
if
she
had
fallen
asleep
.
I
raised
her
,
and
laid
her
back
in
her
chair
.
She
seemed
quite
dead
.
Mr.
Tracy
was
greatly
affected
.
Katherine
did
not
offer
to
help
,
but
withdrew
to
the
farther
end
of
the
kitchen
.
She
cried
very
much
.
Mr.
Tracy
sent
me
for
a
surgeon
.
When
I
came
back
with
the
first
witness
,
we
found
Mr.
Tracy
bathing
deceased
's
head
with
vinegar
,
and
doing
all
he
could
to
recover
her
.
Katherine
was
not
assisting
him
.
"
This
witness
then
confirmed
the
previous
statement
relative
to
the
immediate
circumstances
which
led
to
Katherine
's
arrest
.
He
concluded
his
testimony
thus
:
"
When
I
first
went
into
the
kitchen
,
there
were
no
cups
,
nor
glasses
,
nor
any
drinking
vessels
on
the
table
.
All
the
tea-things
had
been
washed
and
put
into
their
proper
place
.
"
The
Rev.
Reginald
Tracy
deposed
:
"
I
received
the
prisoner
into
my
service
through
charity
.
I
had
no
character
with
her
.
I
had
known
her
before
,
because
she
had
attended
the
St.
David
's
Sunday
Schools
.
I
considered
her
to
be
a
most
exemplary
young
person
.
I
was
not
aware
that
Mrs.
Kenrick
intended
to
send
her
away
.
Mrs.
Kenrick
had
the
power
,
if
she
chose
to
do
so
,
as
she
managed
my
household
for
me
.
I
cannot
say
that
Katherine
had
done
any
thing
to
offend
Mrs.
Kenrick
.
She
had
done
nothing
to
offend
me
.
In
the
evening
I
was
alarmed
by
screams
.
I
went
down
into
the
kitchen
,
and
found
the
housekeeper
in
the
position
described
by
the
last
witness
.
I
sent
him
for
a
surgeon
,
and
adopted
all
the
remedies
within
my
reach
to
recover
the
housekeeper
.
I
think
I
had
observed
that
something
had
been
preying
upon
the
mind
of
the
deceased
.
She
had
lately
been
melancholy
and
abstracted
.
"
Cross-examined
:
"
I
am
not
aware
that
Katherine
went
out
on
the
evening
in
question
.
I
do
not
know
that
she
visited
her
uncle
on
that
evening
.
I
cannot
say
that
she
did
not
.
She
would
not
have
asked
me
for
permission
to
do
so
.
She
would
have
applied
to
Mrs.
Kenrick
.
I
was
unwell
all
day
,
and
did
not
leave
my
room
until
I
heard
the
screams
.
I
was
very
loath
to
believe
that
Katherine
could
have
perpetrated
such
a
deed
.
I
told
the
surgeon
so
.
"
A
policeman
deposed
:
"
I
was
summoned
to
Mr.
Tracy
's
house
on
the
evening
in
question
.
I
took
the
prisoner
into
custody
.
When
I
had
conveyed
her
to
the
station-house
,
I
returned
to
Mr.
Tracy
's
house
.
I
searched
the
kitchen
.
I
found
the
phial
,
produced
in
court
,
upon
a
shelf
.
It
was
empty
.
"
This
testimony
closed
the
case
for
the
prosecution
.
The
general
impression
which
prevailed
amongst
the
auditory
was
unfavourable
to
the
prisoner
.
Richard
Markham
trembled
for
her
:
still
his
confidence
in
her
innocence
was
unshaken
.
But
time
wore
on
:
the
case
was
drawing
to
a
close
;
—
and
not
a
sign
of
Morris
Benstead
!
Markham
knew
not
what
to
think
.
The
manner
in
which
Reginald
Tracy
gave
his
evidence
was
the
subject
of
much
comment
in
the
gallery
.
"
What
an
amiable
man
he
appears
to
be
!
"
said
one
.
"
How
he
endeavoured
to
create
an
impression
in
favour
of
the
prisoner
,
"
observed
another
.
"
He
said
that
he
was
loath
to
believe
her
guilty
,
"
remarked
a
third
,
"
and
considered
her
to
be
an
exemplary
young
person
.
"
"
Hush
!
hush
!
"
said
the
first
speaker
:
"
the
case
is
about
to
be
resumed
.
"
This
was
the
fact
.
The
Judges
,
having
retired
for
a
few
minutes
,
had
now
returned
to
the
bench
.
The
counsel
for
the
defence
rose
.
He
began
by
calling
upon
the
jury
to
dismiss
from
their
minds
any
prejudice
which
the
statements
in
the
newspapers
in
connexion
with
the
case
might
have
created
.
He
then
dissected
the
evidence
for
the
prosecution
.
He
insisted
much
upon
the
importance
of
the
fact
that
the
poison
had
been
purchased
the
evening
before
the
conversation
took
place
between
the
deceased
and
the
prisoner
,
relative
to
the
removal
of
the
latter
from
the
house
.
His
instructions
were
that
the
prisoner
had
purchased
that
poison
by
order
of
the
deceased
,
and
,
as
the
prisoner
understood
at
the
time
,
for
the
use
of
her
master
who
had
returned
home
unwell
.
There
was
no
proof
that
Katherine
had
done
any
thing
wrong
,
and
that
she
might
have
anticipated
receiving
warning
from
the
housekeeper
,
and
thus
have
actually
contemplated
murder
when
she
procured
the
laudanum
.
It
was
stated
that
there
was
no
cup
nor
glass
upon
the
table
—
no
drinking
vessel
in
which
poison
could
be
traced
.
The
inference
thence
drawn
by
the
counsel
for
the
prosecution
was
that
the
prisoner
must
have
administered
the
poison
—
most
probably
in
deceased
's
tea
,
and
had
then
washed
the
cup
.
But
might
not
the
deceased
have
taken
the
poison
with
the
intention
of
committing
suicide
,
by
drinking
it
from
the
phial
which
was
found
upon
the
shelf
?
Would
not
the
prisoner
have
concealed
or
destroyed
the
phial
,
had
she
really
administered
the
poison
?
The
prisoner
's
account
of
the
case
was
this
.
Mrs.
Kenrick
of
her
own
accord
had
given
her
permission
to
visit
her
friends
for
an
hour
on
the
fatal
evening
.
The
prisoner
availed
herself
of
this
kindness
,
and
proceeded
to
her
uncle
's
residence
in
St.
Giles
's
.
He
(
the
counsel
)
hoped
to
have
been
able
to
prove
the
important
fact
of
this
visit
,
because
it
would
show
that
the
housekeeper
had
purposely
sent
Katherine
Wilmot
out
of
the
way
:
but
,
unfortunately
,
the
prisoner
's
uncle
had
not
yet
returned
to
town
;
and
although
a
letter
had
been
sent
to
the
place
whither
it
was
supposed
that
he
had
proceeded
—
—
At
this
moment
a
great
bustle
was
observed
in
the
body
of
the
court
;
and
a
man
,
elbowing
his
way
through
the
crowd
,
advanced
towards
the
learned
counsel
for
the
defence
.
Richard
's
heart
leapt
within
him
:
at
the
first
glance
he
recognised
,
in
that
man
,
his
agent
,
Morris
Benstead
,
dressed
in
plain
clothes
.
Benstead
whispered
to
the
barrister
for
some
minutes
,
and
then
handed
him
a
letter
which
the
learned
gentleman
perused
rapidly
.
The
most
breathless
suspense
prevailed
throughout
the
court
.
"
My
lords
,
"
at
length
exclaimed
the
barrister
,
retaining
the
letter
in
his
hand
,
and
addressing
the
Judges
,
"
this
case
is
likely
to
take
a
most
unexpected
turn
.
"
"
Heaven
be
thanked
!
"
murmured
Richard
to
himself
:
"
the
poor
creature
's
innocence
will
be
made
apparent
—
I
feel
that
it
will
!
"
Meantime
Morris
Benstead
again
forced
his
way
through
the
crowd
,
and
took
his
stand
close
by
Reginald
Tracy
.
Poor
Katherine
knew
not
what
all
this
meant
;
but
her
heart
beat
violently
with
mingled
emotions
of
hope
,
uncertainty
,
and
apprehension
.
"
My
lords
,
"
continued
the
barrister
,
"
I
need
not
continue
my
speech
in
defence
of
the
prisoner
.
I
shall
at
once
proceed
to
call
my
witnesses
.
"
The
anxiety
of
the
audience
grew
more
and
more
intense
.
"
Jacob
Smithers
!
"
cried
the
barrister
.
The
Public
Executioner
instantly
ascended
into
the
witness-box
.
He
deposed
as
follows
:
"
The
prisoner
is
my
niece
.
She
called
at
my
house
on
the
evening
alluded
to
.
She
remained
with
me
at
least
half
an
hour
.
She
did
not
complain
of
Mrs.
Kenrick
;
nor
did
she
say
that
she
was
to
leave
the
Rev.
Mr.
Tracy
's
house
.
I
remember
that
I
was
very
low-spirited
myself
that
evening
;
and
so
I
suppose
she
did
not
choose
to
annoy
me
by
saying
that
she
was
to
leave
.
Or
else
,
perhaps
,
she
thought
that
I
should
wish
her
to
return
home
to
me
if
I
knew
that
she
was
to
leave
Mr.
Tracy
's
service
.
I
have
been
to
Belfast
where
I
was
detained
some
days
:
then
I
accepted
an
engagement
to
go
to
the
Isle
of
Man
.
I
never
received
any
letter
informing
me
of
what
had
occurred
to
my
niece
.
The
fact
is
,
I
do
not
go
by
my
right
name
when
I
travel
in
that
way
,
because
I
have
to
stop
at
inns
,
and
do
not
like
to
be
known
.
That
is
probably
the
reason
why
a
letter
addressed
to
me
by
the
name
of
Smithers
did
not
reach
me
.
I
did
not
see
the
account
of
this
business
in
the
newspapers
until
a
few
days
since
,
when
I
was
in
the
Isle
of
Man
;
and
I
returned
home
as
quick
as
possible
.
I
only
reached
London
an
hour
ago
.
"
"
You
may
stand
down
,
"
said
the
barrister
:
then
,
after
a
pause
,
he
exclaimed
,
"
Rachel
Bennet
!
"
An
elderly
woman
,
decently
attired
in
mourning
,
but
evidently
in
a
very
sickly
state
of
health
,
slowly
ascended
into
the
witness-box
.
She
deposed
:
"
I
am
the
sister
of
the
deceased
,
and
reside
about
three
miles
from
Hounslow
.
I
received
a
letter
from
my
sister
early
in
February
.
The
letter
now
shown
me
is
the
one
.
"
(
This
was
the
same
letter
which
Benstead
had
given
to
the
barrister
.
)
"
On
the
following
day
I
received
a
letter
from
Mr.
Tracy
informing
me
of
my
sister
's
death
,
and
stating
that
it
was
supposed
she
had
been
poisoned
by
a
young
person
then
in
custody
.
I
was
bed-ridden
with
illness
at
the
time
,
and
was
supposed
to
be
dying
.
I
could
not
therefore
come
to
London
,
or
take
any
steps
in
the
matter
.
Some
one
came
to
me
yesterday
,
and
induced
me
to
come
to
town
.
"
The
counsel
for
the
defence
then
passed
the
letter
,
which
had
been
placed
in
his
hands
by
Benstead
,
to
the
clerk
of
the
court
,
by
whom
it
was
read
.
Its
contents
were
as
follow
:
—
My
dear
Rachel
"
I
hope
this
will
find
you
much
improved
in
health
:
at
the
same
time
I
am
somewhat
anxious
at
not
having
heard
from
you
.
My
present
object
in
writing
to
you
is
to
request
you
to
receive
at
your
house
a
young
person
in
whom
I
am
interested
,
and
who
is
at
present
in
Mr.
Tracy
's
service
.
Katherine
Wilmot
is
a
pretty
and
interesting
girl
;
and
it
would
be
unsafe
for
her
to
remain
here
.
You
know
,
dear
Rachel
,
that
you
and
I
have
never
had
any
secrets
between
us
;
and
I
am
not
now
going
to
break
through
that
rule
of
mutual
confidence
which
has
been
the
basis
of
our
sincere
attachment
.
The
truth
is
,
Mr.
Tracy
is
not
what
he
was
.
He
has
fallen
from
the
pinnacle
of
virtue
which
he
once
so
proudly
occupied
;
and
it
was
only
this
morning
that
I
had
the
most
convincing
proof
of
his
weakness
and
folly
!
O
Rachel
—
I
met
him
and
his
mistress
face
to
face
upon
the
stairs
!
But
I
will
not
dwell
upon
this
:
I
sincerely
pray
to
heaven
that
he
may
repent
,
and
become
the
good
man
he
once
was
.
I
know
that
this
secret
will
be
sacred
with
you
.
But
I
am
determined
to
remove
from
him
all
temptations
,
as
far
as
lies
in
my
humble
power
;
and
you
may
now
comprehend
my
motives
for
sending
Katherine
Wilmot
away
from
this
house
.
In
a
word
,
I
shall
despatch
her
to
you
by
to-morrow
's
coach
;
and
will
write
at
greater
length
by
her
.
"
Your
affectionate
Sister
,
MATILDA
KENRICK
.
"
This
letter
produced
a
most
extraordinary
sensation
in
the
court
.
The
Judges
,
the
barrister
,
the
prisoner
,
and
the
audience
were
astounded
at
this
revelation
of
the
weakness
of
that
man
whom
the
world
almost
worshipped
as
a
saint
.
"
Ellen
was
right
!
"
murmured
Richard
Markham
to
himself
:
"
he
is
a
hypocrite
!
But
I
never
could
have
thought
it
!
"
And
what
of
Reginald
himself
?
The
moment
the
clerk
reached
that
paragraph
which
proclaimed
the
astounding
fact
of
his
unworthiness
,
a
cold
perspiration
broke
out
upon
his
forehead
;
and
he
turned
to
leave
the
court
.
But
Morris
Benstead
caught
him
by
the
arm
,
and
pointing
to
a
seat
,
said
,
"
You
must
remain
here
,
if
you
please
,
sir
:
I
am
an
officer
.
"
The
rector
cast
a
look
of
unutterable
dismay
upon
the
policeman
,
and
fell
upon
the
bench
in
a
state
of
mind
bordering
on
distraction
.
Meantime
the
case
proceeded
.
The
counsel
for
the
prosecution
said
that
he
should
like
to
ask
Rachel
Bennet
a
few
questions
.
That
witness
accordingly
returned
to
the
box
.
"
Why
did
you
not
empower
some
one
to
produce
that
letter
when
the
prisoner
was
examined
before
the
magistrate
?
"
inquired
the
prosecuting
counsel
.
"
Because
,
sir
,
I
did
not
conceive
that
it
could
be
of
any
use
.
I
never
for
a
moment
suspected
that
any
other
person
besides
the
one
accused
could
have
taken
away
my
poor
sister
's
life
.
My
husband
proposed
to
send
the
letter
to
the
magistrate
;
but
as
my
sister
had
written
to
me
in
strict
confidence
,
I
would
not
consent
to
that
step
.
And
now
,
since
you
have
asked
me
,
sir
,
I
will
tell
you
what
I
really
did
think
;
and
God
forgive
me
if
I
have
been
unjust
.
"
"
We
do
not
want
to
hear
what
you
thought
,
"
exclaimed
the
prosecuting
counsel
.
"
You
may
stand
down
.
"
"
No
,
"
cried
the
barrister
for
the
defence
:
"
as
we
are
upon
the
subject
,
we
will
have
the
witness
's
impressions
.
"
"
I
really
thought
,
sir
,
"
continued
the
woman
,
"
that
the
Katherine
Wilmot
alluded
to
was
perhaps
no
better
than
she
should
be
,
and
had
become
more
intimate
with
Mr.
Tracy
than
my
poor
sister
suspected
.
That
,
I
thought
,
was
the
reason
why
she
had
poisoned
my
sister
in
order
to
get
her
out
of
the
way
,
and
for
herself
to
remain
at
Mr.
Tracy
's
house
.
But
I
did
not
think
that
Mr.
Tracy
himself
had
any
hand
in
the
murder
;
and
so
I
did
not
see
the
good
of
producing
a
letter
which
would
only
expose
Mr.
Tracy
.
"
"
Now
you
may
stand
down
,
"
said
the
counsel
for
the
prisoner
:
then
,
in
a
loud
tone
,
he
called
,
"
John
Smithers
!
"
And
Gibbet
entered
the
witness-box
.
His
first
glance
was
towards
the
dock
;
and
that
look
,
rapid
,
and
imperceptible
to
others
,
conveyed
a
world
of
hope
to
the
bosom
of
poor
Katherine
.
Richard
Markham
was
at
a
loss
to
conceive
what
testimony
the
hump-back
could
bring
forward
in
the
prisoner
's
favour
.
Every
one
present
felt
the
deepest
interest
in
the
turn
given
to
the
proceedings
.
The
hump-back
stood
upon
a
stool
that
there
was
in
the
witness-box
;
and
even
then
his
head
was
alone
visible
.
His
hideous
countenance
,
pale
and
ghastly
through
his
intense
feelings
for
Katherine
's
situation
,
was
nevertheless
animated
with
confidence
and
hope
.
Amidst
a
dead
silence
of
awe-inspiring
solemnity
,
he
deposed
as
follows
:
—
"
I
am
the
prisoner
's
cousin
.
She
has
ever
been
most
kind
to
me
;
and
I
was
always
happy
in
her
society
.
When
she
went
to
live
at
Mr.
Tracy
's
house
,
I
thought
that
I
should
be
able
to
see
her
every
evening
;
but
on
one
occasion
Mr.
Tracy
met
me
,
and
said
that
I
might
only
visit
her
on
Sundays
.
I
had
,
however
,
discovered
an
obscure
corner
in
his
yard
,
where
I
could
hide
myself
and
see
all
that
passed
in
the
kitchen
of
his
house
.
I
went
to
that
corner
regularly
every
evening
,
Sunday
excepted
;
and
remained
there
an
hour
—
sometimes
more
.
I
did
not
want
to
pry
into
what
was
going
on
in
Mr.
Tracy
's
house
:
all
I
cared
about
was
to
see
Katherine
.
"
A
murmur
,
expressive
of
deep
feeling
—
mingled
surprise
,
sympathy
,
and
admiration
—
on
the
part
of
the
audience
,
followed
this
ingenuous
announcement
.
Many
an
eye
was
moistened
with
a
tear
;
and
even
the
Judges
did
not
look
angrily
when
that
murmur
met
their
ears
.
Gibbet
continued
:
—
"
One
evening
when
I
was
concealed
in
the
corner
,
I
saw
Mrs.
Kenrick
address
something
to
Katherine
,
which
I
could
not
hear
;
but
immediately
afterwards
Katherine
put
on
her
bonnet
and
went
out
.
As
I
had
sometimes
seen
her
do
so
before
,
and
return
very
shortly
afterwards
,
I
thought
she
had
merely
gone
to
execute
some
little
commission
;
and
I
remained
where
I
was
.
Although
Katherine
used
to
pass
through
the
yard
,
and
close
by
me
,
when
she
went
out
in
that
manner
,
I
never
spoke
to
her
,
for
fear
she
should
reprove
me
for
what
she
might
think
was
watching
her
actions
.
Immediately
after
she
was
gone
,
Mrs.
Kenrick
laid
the
tea
things
;
and
in
a
few
minutes
Mr.
Tracy
entered
the
kitchen
.
He
and
the
housekeeper
sate
down
to
tea
.
Mrs.
Kenrick
was
pouring
out
the
tea
,
when
Mr.
Tracy
said
something
which
made
her
pause
.
She
then
put
down
the
tea-pot
,
fetched
a
coffee-biggin
,
and
made
some
coffee
.
She
filled
two
cups
,
and
then
turned
towards
the
shelves
to
fetch
a
small
jug
,
which
I
thought
contained
milk
.
But
while
her
back
was
turned
,
I
saw
Mr.
Tracy
hastily
put
his
hand
into
his
waistcoat
pocket
,
and
then
as
rapidly
advance
his
hand
to
Mrs.
Kenrick
's
cup
.
All
that
was
the
work
of
only
one
moment
;
and
I
could
not
distinctly
see
why
he
did
so
.
In
fact
I
did
not
think
much
of
it
,
until
afterwards
.
Mrs.
Kenrick
resumed
her
seat
;
and
she
and
Mr.
Tracy
drank
their
coffee
.
I
observed
that
Mrs.
Kenrick
took
no
milk
,
and
drank
hers
very
quickly
.
In
a
short
time
I
saw
her
head
begin
to
nod
as
if
she
was
sleepy
:
she
got
up
,
and
walked
about
.
Then
she
sate
down
again
,
and
placed
her
arms
on
the
table
as
if
to
support
herself
.
In
a
short
time
her
head
fell
forward
on
her
arms
.
I
felt
a
little
alarmed
;
but
still
scarcely
knew
why
.
Mr.
Tracy
watched
her
for
some
minutes
after
she
had
fallen
forward
in
that
manner
,
and
then
bent
down
his
head
to
look
at
her
face
.
In
another
moment
he
rose
,
and
to
my
surprise
washed
up
all
the
things
on
the
table
and
placed
them
upon
the
shelves
.
Then
I
began
to
fear
that
something
was
wrong
;
and
I
stole
away
.
When
I
got
home
I
found
my
father
rather
cross
with
me
for
staying
out
;
and
I
was
afraid
to
tell
him
what
I
had
seen
.
Early
the
next
morning
we
left
for
Ireland
;
and
I
never
had
courage
to
speak
to
my
father
upon
this
subject
until
we
read
the
account
of
the
murder
and
of
Katherine
's
arrest
.
That
was
in
the
Isle
of
Man
.
"
The
reader
may
imagine
the
profound
sensation
which
this
narrative
created
.
Richard
Markham
was
literally
astounded
.
Katherine
Wilmot
wept
abundantly
.
Reginald
Tracy
was
crushed
,
as
it
were
,
to
the
very
dust
,
by
this
overwhelming
exposure
of
his
guilt
.
The
jury
whispered
together
for
a
few
moments
;
and
the
foreman
rose
and
said
,
"
My
lords
,
it
is
rather
as
a
matter
of
form
than
as
the
result
of
any
deliberation
,
that
we
pronounce
a
verdict
of
Not
Guilty
.
"
"
The
prisoner
is
discharged
,
"
said
the
senior
judge
.
"
It
will
be
the
duty
of
the
police
to
take
charge
of
Reginald
Tracy
.
"
"
I
have
him
in
custody
,
my
lord
,
"
exclaimed
Morris
Benstead
in
a
loud
tone
.
CHAPTER
CLVIII
.
A
HAPPY
PARTY
.
In
a
private
room
up
stairs
,
at
a
tavern
nearly
opposite
the
Court-house
of
the
Old
Bailey
,
a
happy
party
was
assembled
.
And
yet
the
group
was
somewhat
motley
.
It
consisted
of
Richard
Markham
,
Katherine
Wilmot
,
the
Public
Executioner
,
Gibbet
,
Rachel
Bennet
,
and
Morris
Benstead
.
The
best
luncheon
which
the
house
afforded
was
spread
upon
the
table
.
"
And
so
you
really
thought
I
was
lost
,
sir
?
"
said
Benstead
.
"
I
am
not
the
man
to
neglect
the
business
that
is
entrusted
to
me
;
neither
do
I
excite
hopes
unless
I
know
that
they
'll
be
realised
.
"
"
But
you
have
not
yet
told
me
how
you
came
to
bring
all
your
witnesses
into
court
at
one
and
the
same
moment
,
"
said
Richard
Markham
.
"
Well
,
sir
,
I
'll
soon
satisfy
your
curiosity
on
that
head
,
"
returned
the
policeman
.
"
I
made
every
exertion
to
sift
the
entire
matter
to
the
bottom
;
but
the
farther
I
went
into
it
,
the
more
mysterious
it
seemed
.
At
last
I
was
pretty
nearly
inclined
to
give
it
up
in
despair
.
One
of
the
principal
measures
that
I
adopted
was
to
endeavour
to
trace
,
step
by
step
,
all
that
either
Mrs.
Kenrick
or
Katherine
did
on
the
day
when
the
murder
took
place
.
I
have
seen
,
in
my
time
,
so
much
important
evidence
come
out
of
the
most
trivial
—
really
the
most
ridiculous
things
,
that
I
resolved
to
glean
every
minute
particular
I
could
relative
to
the
motions
of
both
the
deceased
and
the
accused
on
that
day
.
My
firm
idea
was
that
the
housekeeper
had
committed
suicide
—
saving
your
presence
,
ma'am
,
"
added
Benstead
,
turning
towards
Mrs.
Bennet
.
"
Well
,
I
found
out
the
principal
shops
where
Mr.
Tracy
dealt
;
and
I
visited
them
all
to
ascertain
if
Mrs.
Kenrick
had
been
there
on
that
day
;
and
if
so
,
whether
her
words
or
manner
had
betrayed
any
thing
strange
.
But
I
could
learn
nothing
material
.
Various
other
schemes
I
thought
of
,
and
put
into
execution
;
but
as
they
all
failed
,
there
's
no
use
in
mentioning
them
.
At
length
,
yesterday
evening
I
happened
to
call
at
the
post-office
near
Mr.
Tracy
's
house
.
I
got
into
conversation
with
the
post-mistress
,
who
seemed
to
be
well
acquainted
with
the
late
Mrs.
Kenrick
.
In
the
course
of
comment
and
observation
upon
the
mysterious
event
,
the
post-mistress
said
,
'
I
do
really
think
there
's
some
ground
for
supposing
that
the
poor
dear
woman
committed
suicide
;
for
she
came
here
to
pay
a
letter
to
her
sister
only
a
few
hours
before
she
was
found
dead
;
and
then
I
saw
that
she
was
n't
as
she
usually
was
.
Something
appeared
to
hang
upon
her
mind
.
'
"
"
That
was
no
doubt
the
sorrow
she
experienced
at
having
discovered
the
hypocrisy
of
her
master
,
"
observed
Richard
.
"
Most
likely
,
sir
,
"
said
Benstead
.
"
Well
,
the
moment
I
heard
that
Mrs.
Kenrick
had
written
to
her
sister
only
a
few
hours
before
her
death
,
I
felt
more
convinced
than
ever
that
it
was
a
case
of
suicide
.
It
was
then
nine
o'clock
;
but
I
was
determined
to
start
off
at
once
to
investigate
the
business
.
The
post-mistress
knew
that
Mrs.
Bennet
lived
at
Hounslow
;
and
this
was
fortunate
.
I
thanked
her
for
this
information
,
and
hurried
away
.
I
was
obliged
to
go
to
St.
Giles
's
,
before
I
started
for
the
country
,
to
ask
my
Inspector
's
leave
.
As
I
passed
by
Mr.
Smithers
'
house
,
I
knocked
to
see
if
he
had
come
home
.
But
the
green-grocer
next
door
answered
me
,
as
on
several
former
occasions
when
I
had
called
.
He
told
me
that
Mr.
Smithers
had
not
come
back
.
I
knew
it
was
important
for
Miss
Kate
to
prove
that
she
had
visited
her
uncle
on
the
night
of
the
supposed
murder
;
and
so
I
scribbled
a
note
to
Mr.
Smithers
,
desiring
him
,
in
case
he
should
return
home
in
time
to-day
,
to
lose
not
a
minute
in
coming
to
this
very
tavern
and
sending
over
into
the
Old
Court
to
fetch
me
.
This
note
I
left
with
the
green-grocer
;
and
I
then
hastened
to
the
station
.
I
obtained
permission
to
absent
myself
,
and
lost
no
time
in
hiring
a
post-chaise
.
But
it
was
midnight
before
I
reached
Hounslow
;
and
then
I
learnt
that
Mrs.
Bennet
lived
three
miles
away
from
that
town
.
So
I
was
obliged
to
wait
till
the
first
thing
this
morning
before
I
could
see
her
.
Then
a
great
deal
of
time
was
wasted
,
because
Mrs.
Bennet
and
her
husband
could
not
rightly
understand
why
I
came
,
or
on
whose
side
I
was
engaged
.
I
do
not
blame
them
for
their
caution
:
—
I
only
mention
the
fact
to
account
for
our
being
so
late
in
court
.
At
length
I
succeeded
in
persuading
Mrs.
Bennet
to
show
me
her
sister
's
letter
to
her
;
and
when
I
read
it
,
the
whole
affair
wore
another
appearance
in
my
mind
.
I
saw
through
it
in
a
moment
.
Then
I
resolved
upon
bringing
Mrs.
Bennet
up
to
London
with
me
;
and
to
her
credit
,
she
did
not
hesitate
an
instant
to
accompany
me
,
when
I
had
communicated
to
her
the
suspicions
which
that
letter
had
awakened
in
my
mind
,
and
impressed
upon
her
the
necessity
of
hastening
to
save
an
innocent
person
from
the
weight
of
an
unjust
accusation
.
To
conclude
this
long
and
rambling
story
,
we
came
up
in
the
post-chaise
;
and
,
as
luck
would
have
it
,
just
as
we
drove
up
to
this
tavern
,
Mr.
Smithers
and
his
son
were
stepping
out
of
a
cab
at
the
door
.
"
"
Ah
!
Mr.
Markham
,
"
said
Katherine
,
"
how
can
I
ever
sufficiently
express
my
gratitude
towards
you
;
for
it
was
by
means
of
your
generosity
that
Mr.
Benstead
was
enabled
to
make
those
exertions
which
led
to
this
happy
result
.
"
"
I
felt
convinced
of
your
innocence
from
the
first
,
"
returned
our
hero
;
"
and
it
was
not
probable
that
I
should
abandon
you
when
such
were
my
sentiments
.
"
"
A
life
devoted
to
your
service
,
sir
,
could
not
repay
the
debt
which
I
owe
you
,
"
said
Kate
.
"
And
you
,
my
dear
cousin
,
"
she
continued
,
turning
towards
Gibbet
,
who
was
seated
next
to
her
,
—
"
you
also
have
been
no
unimportant
instrument
in
rescuing
me
from
infamy
and
death
.
"
"
Do
not
speak
of
it
,
Kate
,
"
said
the
hump-back
,
whimpering
like
a
mere
child
.
"
I
hope
you
wo
n't
scold
me
for
watching
you
like
a
cat
every
evening
as
I
did
.
"
"
Scold
you
,
John
!
Oh
!
how
can
you
make
use
of
such
words
to
me
—
and
after
the
service
you
have
rendered
me
?
"
exclaimed
Kate
,
tears
also
streaming
down
her
own
cheeks
.
"
I
ought
to
bless
God
—
and
I
do
—
to
think
that
your
friendship
towards
me
led
you
to
adopt
a
step
to
see
me
,
which
has
turned
so
wonderfully
—
so
providentially
to
my
advantage
.
"
"
And
now
,
Kate
,
"
said
the
executioner
,
"
tell
me
one
thing
:
why
did
n't
you
mention
to
me
that
evening
when
you
called
,
that
you
were
going
to
leave
the
rector
's
service
?
"
"
Because
,
my
dear
uncle
,
"
answered
the
young
maiden
,
"
you
made
one
observation
to
me
which
showed
that
you
were
pleased
at
the
idea
of
me
being
in
Mr.
Tracy
's
service
;
and
as
you
were
so
dull
and
low-spirited
,
I
did
not
like
to
tell
you
any
thing
that
might
occasion
you
additional
vexation
.
You
said
—
oh
!
I
shall
never
forget
your
words
—
they
made
me
weep
as
I
followed
you
from
the
street
door
into
the
parlour
—
—
"
"
Yes
—
because
I
so
seldom
spoke
kindly
to
you
,
poor
Kate
,
"
exclaimed
the
executioner
,
as
if
struck
by
a
sudden
remorse
.
"
Do
not
say
that
,
dear
uncle
!
I
owe
so
much
—
so
very
much
to
you
,
that
even
if
you
have
been
harsh
to
me
now
and
then
,
I
never
think
of
it
—
and
then
,
perhaps
I
have
deserved
it
,
"
she
added
slowly
;
for
the
amiable
girl
was
anxious
to
extenuate
her
uncle
's
self-accusation
in
the
eyes
of
those
present
.
"
No
—
you
did
not
deserve
it
,
Kate
!
"
cried
the
executioner
,
with
resolute
emphasis
;
"
you
are
a
good
girl
—
too
good
ever
to
have
been
in
such
a
den
as
mine
!
"
Smithers
threw
himself
back
in
his
chair
,
and
compressed
his
lips
together
to
restrain
his
emotions
.
But
nature
asserted
her
empire
.
A
tear
trickled
from
each
eye
,
and
rolled
slowly
down
the
cheeks
of
that
man
whose
heart
had
been
so
brutalized
by
his
fearful
calling
.
Kate
rose
from
her
chair
,
and
threw
herself
into
his
arms
,
exclaiming
,
"
Uncle
—
dear
uncle
,
if
you
speak
kindly
to
me
,
I
am
indeed
happy
!
"
Gibbet
cried
,
and
yet
laughed
—
sobbed
,
and
yet
smiled
,
in
so
strange
a
manner
,
as
he
contemplated
that
touching
scene
,
that
the
result
of
his
emotions
presented
the
most
ludicrous
aspect
.
"
Sit
down
,
Kate
dear
,
"
said
Smithers
:
"
I
am
not
used
to
be
childish
;
—
and
yet
,
I
do
n't
know
how
it
is
,
but
I
do
n't
seem
ashamed
of
dropping
a
tear
now
.
I
know
I
'm
a
harsh
,
brutal
man
:
but
what
has
made
me
so
?
God
,
who
can
read
all
hearts
,
has
it
written
down
in
his
book
that
I
was
once
possessed
of
the
same
kind
feelings
as
other
people
.
However
—
it
's
no
use
talking
:
what
I
am
I
must
remain
until
the
end
.
"
"
Believe
me
,
"
exclaimed
Richard
Markham
,
who
was
ever
sensibly
alive
to
the
existence
of
generous
feelings
in
others
,
—
"
believe
me
,
"
he
cried
,
grasping
Smithers
'
hand
,
"
society
lost
a
good
man
when
you
undertook
your
present
avocation
.
"
"
What
,
sir
!
"
ejaculated
Smithers
,
unfeignedly
surprised
;
"
do
you
shake
hands
with
the
Public
Executioner
?
"
"
Yes
—
and
unblushingly
would
I
do
so
before
the
whole
world
,
"
replied
Markham
,
"
when
I
discover
at
the
bottom
of
his
soul
a
spark
—
aye
,
even
the
faintest
spark
of
noble
and
exalted
feeling
yet
unquenched
.
"
The
Public
Executioner
fixed
upon
the
animated
and
handsome
countenance
of
our
hero
a
glance
of
the
deepest
gratitude
—
a
glance
of
respect
,
almost
of
veneration
!
He
then
cast
down
his
eyes
,
and
appeared
to
plunge
into
profound
rumination
.
"
You
were
going
to
tell
us
,
Miss
Katherine
,
"
said
Benstead
,
"
what
observation
it
was
that
prevented
you
from
communicating
to
your
uncle
the
notice
Mrs.
Kenrick
had
given
you
to
leave
.
"
"
Oh
!
I
remember
,
"
exclaimed
the
young
maiden
,
upon
whose
heart
the
noble
conduct
of
Richard
Markham
towards
her
despised
and
degraded
relative
had
made
a
deep
impression
:
"
my
uncle
said
to
me
,
'
I
am
almost
sorry
that
I
ever
parted
with
you
;
but
as
you
are
now
in
a
place
that
may
do
you
good
,
I
shall
not
interfere
with
you
.
'
"
"
Ah
!
my
dear
young
friend
,
"
exclaimed
Mrs.
Bennet
,
"
how
fatal
might
that
place
have
been
to
you
after
all
?
But
where
are
you
going
to
live
now
?
If
you
can
make
yourself
happy
with
me
,
I
will
offer
you
a
home
and
show
you
the
kindness
of
a
mother
.
"
Katherine
turned
a
look
of
deep
gratitude
upon
the
good
woman
who
made
her
this
generous
offer
;
and
then
she
glanced
timidly
towards
her
uncle
and
Richard
Markham
.
"
If
I
may
be
allowed
to
speak
my
thoughts
in
this
matter
,
"
said
our
hero
,
"
I
should
counsel
Katherine
to
accept
a
proposition
so
kindly
,
so
frankly
made
;
and
it
shall
be
my
duty
to
see
that
she
becomes
not
a
burden
upon
the
friend
who
will
provide
her
with
a
home
.
"
"
I
can
give
no
opinion
in
the
matter
,
sir
,
"
observed
the
executioner
:
"
there
is
something
about
you
which
compels
me
to
say
,
'
Deal
with
me
and
my
family
as
you
will
.
'
Command
,
sir
,
and
we
will
obey
.
"
"
I
never
command
—
but
I
advise
as
a
friend
,
"
said
Richard
,
touched
by
the
strange
gentleness
of
manner
which
was
now
evinced
by
one
lately
so
rude
,
so
brutal
,
so
self-willed
.
"
Katherine
,
then
,
has
your
consent
to
accompany
Mrs.
Bennet
to
Hounslow
?
"
"
And
I
sincerely
thank
Mrs.
Bennet
for
her
goodness
towards
that
poor
girl
who
has
undergone
so
much
,
"
said
the
executioner
.
Mrs.
Bennet
now
suggested
that
her
husband
would
be
uneasy
if
she
remained
long
absent
from
home
;
and
Richard
immediately
summoned
the
waiter
,
to
whom
he
gave
orders
to
procure
a
post-chaise
.
This
command
was
speedily
executed
.
Katherine
took
leave
of
her
relatives
,
Markham
,
and
Benstead
,
with
streaming
eyes
.
"
God
bless
you
,
my
girl
,
"
said
the
executioner
,
in
a
tone
the
tremulousness
of
which
he
could
not
altogether
subdue
.
Gibbet
could
say
nothing
:
his
voice
was
choked
with
sobs
.
Katherine
,
however
,
whispered
words
of
kindness
in
his
ears
;
and
the
poor
hump-back
smiled
as
he
wrung
her
hand
with
all
the
fervour
of
his
affection
.
"
To
you
,
Mr.
Markham
,
"
said
Kate
,
"
no
words
can
convey
the
gratitude
—
the
boundless
gratitude
and
respect
which
I
entertain
for
you
.
"
"
Be
happy
,
Katherine
,
"
returned
Richard
,
shaking
her
warmly
by
the
hand
;
"
and
remember
that
in
me
you
have
a
sincere
friend
,
always
ready
to
aid
and
advise
you
.
"
The
young
maiden
then
tendered
her
thanks
to
the
good-hearted
policeman
for
the
interest
he
had
manifested
in
her
favour
.
The
farewells
were
all
said
;
good
wishes
were
given
and
returned
;
and
Mrs.
Bennet
hurried
Katherine
from
the
room
.
Those
who
remained
behind
,
watched
their
departure
from
the
window
.
The
moment
the
post-chaise
had
rolled
away
from
the
door
of
the
tavern
,
Smithers
accosted
our
hero
,
and
said
,
"
I
am
no
great
hand
at
making
speeches
,
sir
;
but
I
ca
n't
take
my
leave
of
you
,
without
saying
something
to
convince
you
that
I
'm
not
ungrateful
for
what
you
've
done
for
my
niece
.
Your
goodness
,
sir
,
has
saved
her
from
death
;
and
more
than
that
,
has
proved
her
innocence
.
You
are
the
best
man
I
ever
met
in
my
life
:
you
are
more
like
an
angel
than
a
human
being
.
I
did
n't
think
that
such
men
as
you
could
be
in
existence
.
It
makes
me
have
a
better
opinion
of
the
world
when
I
look
upon
you
.
How
happy
would
a
country
be
if
it
had
such
a
person
as
yourself
for
its
sovereign
!
I
cannot
understand
my
own
feelings
in
your
presence
:
I
seem
as
if
I
could
fall
at
your
feet
and
worship
you
.
Then
I
think
that
I
am
unworthy
even
to
breathe
the
same
air
that
you
do
.
But
your
words
have
made
me
happy
to
some
extent
:
for
years
I
have
not
felt
as
I
feel
to-day
.
I
can
say
no
more
,
sir
:
I
do
n't
know
how
I
came
to
say
so
much
!
"
And
the
executioner
turned
abruptly
aside
;
for
he
was
weeping
—
he
was
weeping
!
Markham
had
not
interrupted
him
while
he
spoke
,
because
our
hero
knew
that
it
was
well
for
that
man
to
give
way
to
the
good
feelings
which
the
contemplation
of
humanity
and
philanthropy
in
others
had
so
recently
awakened
.
But
Richard
did
not
perceive
that
,
while
the
executioner
was
giving
utterance
to
the
invincible
promptings
of
nature
,
Gibbet
had
drawn
near
,
—
had
listened
to
his
father
with
indescribable
interest
,
—
had
drunk
in
with
surprise
and
avidity
every
word
that
fell
from
his
lips
,
—
and
had
