 Section 51 of East Linn This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org East Linn by Mrs Henry Wood Chapter 40 The Justice Room The magistrates took their seats on the bench. The bench would not hold them, all in the commission of the peace flocked in. Any other day they would not have been at West Linn. As to the room, the wonder was how it ever got emptied again. So densely wasn't packed. Sir Francis Leverson's friends were there in a body. They did not believe a word of the accusation. A scandalous affair cried they, got up probably by some sneak at the scarlet and purple party. Lord Mount Savoon, who chose to be present, had a place assigned him on the bench. Lord Vane got the best place he could fight for amid the crowd. Mr Justice Hare sat as chairman, unusually stern, unbending and grim. No favour would he show, but no unfairness. Had it been to save his son from hanging, he would not adjudge guilt to Francis Leverson against his conscience. Colonel Bethel was likewise on the bench, stern also. In that primitive place, primitive in what related to the justice room, and the justice's things were not conducted with the regularity of the law. The law there was often a dead letter. No very grave cases were decided there. They went to Lindborough. A month at the treadmill or a week's imprisonment or about a juvenile whipping were pretty near the harshest sentences pronounced. Thus, in this examination, as in others, evidence was advanced that was inadmissible. At least, that would have been inadmissible in a more orthodox court. Here say testimony and irregularities of that nature. Mr Roubigny watched the case on behalf of Sir Francis Leverson. Mr Ball opened the proceedings, giving the account which had been imparted to him by Richard Hare, but not mentioning Richard as his informant. He was questioned as to whence he obtained his information, but replied that it was not convenient at present to disclose the source. The stumbling block of the magistrates appeared to be the identifying Leverson with Thorn. Evansard James came forward to prove it. What do you know of the prisoner, Sir Francis Leverson? Question Justice Herbert. Not much responded Mr Evansard. I used to know him as Captain Thorn. Captain Thorn? Apphy Hellerjohn called him Captain, but I understood he was but a lieutenant. From whom did you understand that? From Apphy. She was the only person I heard speak of him. And you say you were in the habit of seeing him in place mentioned, the Abbey Ward. I saw him there repeatedly, also at Hellerjohn's cottage. Did you speak with him as Thorn? Two or three times I addressed him as Thorn, and he answered to the name. I had no suspicion but that it was his name. Otway Bethel, casting his eyes on Mr Otway, who stood in his shaggy attire, also knew him as Thorn. And so I have no doubt, did loxley, that he was always in the wood. Anybody else? Poor Hellerjohn himself knew him as Thorn. He said to Apphy one day in my presence, that he would not have that confounded dandy Thorn coming there. Were those the words he used? They were. That confounded dandy Thorn I remember, Apphy's reply. It was rather insolent. She said Thorn was as free to come there as anybody else, and she would not be found fault with, as though she was not fit to take care of herself. That is nothing to the purpose. Were any others acquainted with this Thorn? I should imagine the elder sister Joyce was, and the one who knew him best of all of us was young Richard Hare. Old Richard Hare, from his place on the bench, frown menacingly at an imaginary Richard. What took Thorn into the wood so often? He was courting Apphy. With an intention of marrying her? Well, no, cried Mr Ebenza, with a twist of the mouth. I should not suppose he entertained any intention of the sort. He used to come over from Swanson, or its neighbourhood, riding a splendid horse. Whom did you suppose him to be? I suppose him to be moving in the upper ranks of life. There was no doubt of it. He stressed his manners, his tone, all proclaimed it. He appeared to wish to shun observation, and evidently did not care to be seen by any of us. He rarely arrived until twilight. Did you see him there on the night of Halla John's murder? No, I was not there myself that evening, so could not have seen him. Did a suspicion cross your mind at any time that he may have been guilty of the murder? Never. Richard Hare was accused of it by universal belief, and it never occurred to me to suppose he had not done it. Pray, how many years is this ago, sharply interrupted Mr Rubney, perceiving that the witness was done with? Let's see, responded Mr Ebenza. I can't be sure as to a year without reckoning up. A dozen, if not more. And you mean to say that you can swear to Sir Francis Leverson, being that man, with all these years intervening? I swear that he is the man, I am as positive of his identity as I am of my own. Without having seen him from that time to this, derisively returned the lawyer. Nonsense witness, I did not say that, returned Mr Ebenza. The court pricked up its ears. Have you seen him between then and now? Ask one of them. Once. Where and when? It was in London, about eighteen months after the period of the trial. What communication had you with him? None at all. I only saw him quite by chance. And whom did you suppose him to be then, Thorn or Leverson? Thorn, certainly. I never dreamt of his being Leverson until he appeared here, now, to oppose Mr Carlyle. A wild, savage curse shot through Sir Francis' heart as he heard the words. What demon had possessed him to venture his neck into the lion's den? There had been a strong hidden power holding him back from it, independent of his dislike to face Mr Carlyle. How could he be so mad as to disregard it? How? Could a man go from his doom? Can any? You may have been mistaken, witness, as to the identity of the man you saw in London. It may not have been the Thorn you had known here. Mr Ebenza James smiled a peculiar smile. I was not mistaken, he said. His tone sounding remarkably significant. I am upon my oath. Call Athrodite Hellejohn. The lady appeared, supported by her friend, the policeman. And Mr Ebenza James was desired by Mr Ball to leave the court while she gave her evidence. Doubtless he had his reasons. What is your name? Appie, replied she, looking daggers at everybody, and sedulously keeping her back, turned upon Francis Leveson and Otway Bethel. Your name in full, if you please. You are not christened, Appie. Athrodite Hellejohn. You all know my name, as well as I do. Where's the use of asking useless questions? Swear, the witness, spoke up Mr Justice here. The first word he had uttered. I won't be sworn, said Appie. You must be sworn, said Mr Justice Herbert. But I say I won't, repeated Appie. Then we must commit you to prison for contempt of court. There was no mercy in his tone, and Appie turned white. Sir John Dobbead interposed. Young woman, had you a hand in the murder of your father? I returned, Appie, struggling with passion, temper, and excitement. How dare you ask me such an unnatural question, sir? He was the kindest father, she added, battling with her tears. I loved him dearly. I would have saved his life with mine. And yet you refused to give evidence that may assist in bringing his destroyer to justice. No, I don't refuse on that score. I should like his destroyer to be hanged, and I'd go to see it. But who knows what other questions you may be asking me about things that concern neither you nor anybody else? That's why I object. We have only to deal with what bears upon the murder. The questions put to you will relate to that. Appie considered. Well, you may swear me, then, she said. Little notion had she at the broad gauge those questions would run upon, and she was sworn accordingly. Very unwillingly yet, for Appie, who would have told lies by the bushel unsworn, did look upon a note as serious matter, and felt herself compelled to speak the truth when examined under it. How did you become acquainted with a gentleman you often saw in those days, Captain Thorn? There uttered the dismayed, Appie. You are beginning already. He had nothing to do with it. He did not do the murder. You have sworn to answer the questions put, was the uncompromising rejoinder. How did you become acquainted with Captain Thorn? I met him at Swainson, doggedly answered Appie. I went over there one day, just for a spree, and I met him at a pastry coax. And he fell in love with your pretty face, said Lawyer Ball, taking up the examination. In the incense to her vanity, Appie nearly forgot her scruples. Yes, he did, she answered, casting a smile of general satisfaction round upon the court, and got out of you where you lived, and entered upon his courting, riding over nearly every evening to see you. Well, acknowledged Appie, there was no harm in it. Oh, certainly not, acquiescent to Lawyer, in a pleasant free tone, to put the witness at her ease. Rather good, I should say. I wish I had had the life like. Did you know him at the time by the name of Levison? No, he said he was Captain Thorn, and I thought he was. Did you know where he lived? No, he never said that. I thought he was stopping temporarily at Swainson. And dearly, what a sweet bonnet that is you have on. Appie, whose egregious vanity was a besetting sin, who possessed enough of it for any ten pretty women going, cast a glance out at the corners of her eyes at the admired bonnet, and became Mr. Bald's entirely. And how long was it after your first meeting with him, before you discovered his real name? Not for a long time, several months. Subsequent to the murder, I presume. Oh, yes. Mr. Bald's eyes gave a twinkle, and the unconscious Appie surreptitiously smoothed, with one finger the glossy parting of her hair. Besides, Captain Thorn, what gentlemen were in the wood the night of the murder? Richard Hare was there, Otway Bethel and Loxley also. Those were all I saw until the crowd came. Were Loxley and Mr. Otway Bethel matters to your charms, as the other two were? No, indeed, was the witness's answer. With an indignant toss of the head. A couple of poaching fellows like them, they had better have tried it on. Which of the two, Hare or Thorn, was inside the cottage with you that evening? Appie came out of her vanity and hesitated. She was beginning to wonder whether questions would get to. You are upon your oath, witness, thundered Mr. Justice Hare. If it was my, if it was Richard Hare, who was with you, so-so. But there must be no equivocation here. Appie was startled. It was Thorn, she answered to Mr. Ball. And where was Richard Hare? I don't know. He came down, but I sent him away. I would not admit him. I daresay he lingered in the wood. Did he leave a gun with you? Yes, it was one he had promised to lend my father. I put it down just inside the door. He told me it was loaded. How long after this was it that your father interrupted you? He didn't interrupt us at all, returned Appie. I never saw my father until I saw him dead. Were you not in the cottage all the time? No, we went out for a stroll at the back. Captain Thorn wished me good-bye there, and I stayed out. Did you hear the gun go off? I heard a shot as I was sitting on the stump of a tree, and was thinking that I attached no importance to it, never supposing it was in the cottage. What was it that Captain Thorn had to get from the cottage after he quit a due? What had he left there? Now this was a random shaft. Lawyer Ball, a keen man who had well weighed all points in the tale imparted to him by Richard, as well as other points, had coloured them with his own deductions, and spoke accordingly. Appie was taken in. He had left his hat there, nothing else. It was a warm evening, and he had gone out without it. He told you, I believe, sufficient to convince you of the guilt of Richard Hare, another sharp thrown at random. I did not want convincing. I knew it without. Everybody else knew it. To be sure, equably, returned Lawyer Ball. Did Captain Thorn see it done? Did he tell you that? He had got his hat and was away down the woods at some little distance, when he heard voices in dispute in the cottage, and recognised one of them to be that of my father. The shot followed close upon it, and he guessed some mischief had been done, though he did not suspect its extent. Thorn told you this when? The same night, much later, how came you to see him? Appie hesitated, but she was sternly told to answer the question. A boy came up to the cottage and called me out, and said a strange gentleman wanted to see me in the wood, and had given him six months to come for me. I went and found Captain Thorn. He asked me what the commotion was about, and I told him Richard Hare had killed my father. He said that now I spoke of him, and would recognise Richard Hare's, as having been the other boys in the dispute. End of Chapter 40 Part 1 Section 52 of East Linn This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org East Linn by Mrs Henry Wood Chapter 40 The Justice Room Part 2 What boy was that, the one who came for you? It was Mother Whiteman's little son, and Captain Thorn then gave you this version of the tragedy. It was the right version, resentfully spoke Appie. How do you know that? Oh, because I'm sure it was. Who else would kill him but Richard Hare? It is a scandalous shame. You're wanting to put it upon Thorn. Look at the prisoner, Sir Francis Leveson. Is it he whom you knew as Thorn? Yes, but that does not make him guilty of the murder. Of course it does not, complacently assented lawyer Bald. How long did you remain with Captain Thorn in London upon that little visit? You know, Appie started like anybody moonstruck. When you quitted this place after the tragedy, it was to join Captain Thorn in London. How long, I ask, did you remain with him? Entirely a random shark, this, but Richard had totally denied to lawyer Bald the popular assumption that Appie had been with him. Who says I was with him? Who says I went after him? flashed Appie with scarlet cheeks. I do, replied lawyer Bald, taking notes of her confusion. Come, it's over and done with. It's of no use to deny it now. We all go upon visits to friends sometimes. I never heard anything so bold, cried Appie. Where will you tell me I went next? You are upon your oath, woman, again interposed justice here, and a trembling as of agitation might be detected in his voice, in spite of its ringing severity. Were you with the prisoner, Leveson, or were you with Richard here? I with Richard here, cried Appie, agitated in her tune, and shaking like an aspen leaf, partly with disconfiture, partly with unknown dreed. How dare that cruel false head be brought up again to my face! I never saw Richard here after the night of the murder. I swear it. I swear that I never saw him since. Visit him. I'd sooner visit Kelkrap the Hangman. There was truth in the words, in the tone. The chairman let fall the hand which had been raised to his face, holding on his eyeglasses, and a sort of self-condemning fear arose, confusing his brain. His son proved innocent of one part, might be proved innocent of the other, and then how would his own harsh conduct show out? West Lynn, in its charity, the justice in his, had cast more odium to Richard, with regard to his utter conduct touching this girl than it had on the score of the murder. Come, said Lawyer Ball, in a coaxing tone, let us be pleasant. Of course you were not with Richard here. West Lynn is always ill, natured. You were on a visit to Captain Thorn. As, as any other lady might be, Api hung her head, cowed down to object meekness. Answered the question, came forth the chairman's voice again. Were you with Thorn? Yes, though the answer was feeble enough. Mr Ball copped an insinuating cop. Did you remain with him, say, two or three years? Not three? A little over two, perhaps. There was no harm in it, Shreve Daffy, with the catching sob of temper. If I chose to live in London, and he chose to make a morning call upon me, now and then, as an old friend, what's that to anybody? Where was the harm, I ask? Certainly, where was the harm? I am not insinuating any, returned Lawyer Ball, with a wink of the eye furthest from the witness and the bench. And during the time that, that he was making these little morning calls upon you, did you know him to be Leverson? Yes, I knew him to be Captain Leverson then. Did he ever tell you why he had assumed the name of Thorn? Only for a whim, he said. The day he spoke to me in the pastry cook shop at Swainson, something came over him in the spur of the moment, not to give his right name. So he gave the first that came into his head. He never thought to retain it, or that other people would hear of him by it. I dare say not, laconically spoke Lawyer Ball. Well, Miss Daffy, I believe that is all for the present. I want Evans and James in again. He whispered to an officer of the Justice Room, as the witness retired. Evans and James reappeared, and took Daffy's place. You informed their worships, just now, that you had met Thorn in London, some eighteen months subsequent to the murder, begun Lawyer Ball, launching another of his shafts. This must have been during the period of Daffy Halla John Sir John with him. Did you also see her? Mr. Evans opened his eyes. He knew nothing of the evidence, just given by Daffy, and wondered how on earth it had come out, that she had been with Thorn at all. He had never betrayed it. Daffy stammered he. Yes, Daffy sharply returned the Lawyer. Their worships know that when she took that trip of hers from West Linn, it was to join Thorn, not Richard Hare, though the latter has borne the credit of it. I ask you, did you see her, for she was then still connected with him? Well, yes, I did, replied Mr. Evans, his own scruples removed, but wondering still how it had been discovered, unless Daffy had, as he had prophesied, she would let out in her tantrums. In fact, it was Daffy whom I first saw, state the circumstances. I was up Paddington Way one afternoon and saw a lady going into a house. It was Daffy Hellejohn. She lived there, I found, had the drawing room apartments. She invited me to stay to tea with her, and I did. Did you see Captain Leveson there? I saw Thorn as I thought him to be, Daffy told me I must be away by eight o'clock, for she was expecting a friend who sometimes came to sit with her for an hour's chat. But in talking over old times, not that I could tell her much about West Lynn, for I had left it almost as long as she had, the time slipped on past the hour. When Daffy found that out, she hurried me off, and I had barely got outside the gate when a cab drove up, and Thorn alighted from it, and let himself in with a latchkey. That is all I know. When you knew that the scandal of Daffy's absence rested on Richard Hare, why could you not have said this, and cleared him on your return to West Lynn? It was no affair of mine that I should make it public. Daffy asked me not to say I had seen her, and I promised her I would not. As to Richard Hare, a little extra scandal on his back was nothing, while there remained on it the worst scandal of murder. Stop a bit, interposed Mr Reubeny, as the witness was about to retire. You speak of the time being eight o'clock in the evening, sir. Was it dark? Yes. Then how can you be certain it was Thorn who got out at the cab and entered? I am quite certain there was a gas lamp right at the spot, and I saw him as well as I should have seen him in daylight. I knew his voice, too. Could have sworn to it anywhere, and I would almost have sworn to him by his blended diamond ring. It flashed in the lamp light. His voice, did he speak to you? No, but he spoke to the cabman. There was a half dispute between them. The man said Thorn had not paid him enough, that he had not allowed the having been kept waiting twenty minutes on the road. Thorn swore at him a bit, and then flung him an extra shilling. The next witness was a man who had been groomed to the late Sir Peter Levison. He testified that the prisoner, Frances Levison, had been on a visit to his master late in the summer and part of the autumn, the year that Halogen was killed, that he frequently rode out in the direction of West Linn, especially toward evening, would be away three or four hours and come home with the horse in a foam. Also that he picked up two letters at different times, which Mr. Levison had carelessly let fall from his pocket and returned them to him. Both the notes were addressed, Captain Thorn, but they had not been through the post, for there was no further superscription on them, and the writing looked like a lady's. He remembered quite well hearing of the murder of Halogen, the witness added. In answer to a question, he had made a great stir throughout the country. It was just at that same time that Mr. Levison concluded his visit and returned to London. A wonderful memory, Mr. Rubini sarcastically remarked. The witness, a quiet, respectable man, replied that he had a good memory, but that circumstances had impressed upon it, particularly the fact that Mr. Levison's departure followed close upon the murder of Halogen. One day, when Sir Peter was round at the stables, gentlemen, he was urging his nephew to prolong his visit and asked what Sugilfreak was taking him up. Mr. Levison replied that unexpected business called him to London. While they were talking, the coachman came up, all in a heat, telling that Halogen of West Lim had been murdered by young Mr. Hare. I remember Sir Peter said he could not believe it, and that it must have been an accident, not murder. Is that all? There was more said. Mr. Levison, in a shameful sort of manner, asked his uncle, would he let him have five or ten pounds? Sir Peter seemed angry and asked what had he done with the fifty-pound note he had made him a present of, only the previous morning. Mr. Levison replied that he had sent that away to a brother officer, to whom he was in debt. Sir Peter refused to believe it, and said he had more likely squandered it upon some disgraceful folly. Mr. Levison denied that he had, but he looked confused. Indeed, his matter altogether was confused that morning. Did he get the five or ten pounds? I don't know, gentlemen. I daresay he did, for my master was as persuadable as a woman, though he'd fly out a bit sometimes at first. Mr. Levison departed for London that same night. The last witness called was Mr. Dill. On the previous Tuesday evening he had been returning home from spending an hour at Mr. Boe Champs, when, in a field opposite to Mr. Justice's hairs, he suddenly heard a commotion. It arose from the meeting of Sir Francis Levison and Ottway Bethel. The former appeared to have been enjoying a solitary moonlight ramble, and the latter to have encountered him unexpectedly. Words ensued, Bethel accused Sir Francis of shirking him. Sir Francis answered angrily that he knew nothing of him, and nothing he wanted to know. You were glad enough to know something of me the night of Halla John's murder. We taught a Bethel to this. Do you remember that I could hang you? One little word from me, and you'd stand in Dick Hair's place. You feel, passionately cried Sir Francis. You couldn't hang me without putting your own head in a noose. Did you not have your harsh money? Are you wanting to do me out of more? A cursed poultry note of 50 pounds, phoned Ottway Bethel, which many a time since I have wished my fingers were blown off before they touched. I never should have touched it, but that I was altogether overwhelmed with the moment's confusion. I have not been able to look Mrs Hair in the face since, knowing that I held the secret that would save her son from the hangman. And put yourself in his place, sneered Sir Francis. No, put you. That's as it might be. But if I went to the hangman, you would go with me. There would be no excuse or escape for you. You know it. The warfare continued longer, but this was the cream of it. Mr Dill heard the whole, and repeated it now to the magistrate. Mr Rubini protested that it was inadmissible. Here say evidence. Contrary to the law, but the bench or a curly put Mr Rubini down and told him they did not want any stranger to come there and teach them their business. Colonel Bethel had leaned forward at the conclusion of Mr Dill's evidence. Dismay on his face. Adjection in his voice. Are you sure that you made no mistake that the other in this interview was Ottway Bethel? Mr Dill sadly shook his head. Am I one to swear to a wrong man, Colonel? I wish I had not heard it. Save that it may be the means of clearing Richard Hare. Sir Francis Lebson had braved out the proceedings with the haughty Cavalier Air. His delicate hands and his diamond ring remarkably conspicuous. Was that stone the real thing or a false one, substituted for the real? Hard up, as he had long been for money, the suspicion might arise. A derisive smile crossed his features at parts of the evidence. As much as to say, you may convict me as to Madam Azale Abbey, but you can't as to the murder. When, however, Mr Dill's testimony was given, what a change was there. His mood tamed down to what looked like object fear, and he shook in his shoes as he stood. Of course your worships will take bail for Sir Francis, said Mr Rubiny, at the close of the proceedings. Bail, the bench looked at one another. Your worships will not refuse it. A gentleman in Sir Francis Lebson's position, the bench thought they never had so insolent an application made to them. Bail for him on this charge. No, not if the Lord Chancellor himself came down to offer it. Mr Otway Betel conscious, probably, that nobody would offer bail for him. Not even the Colonel did not ask the bench to take it. So the two were fully committed to take their trial for the willful murder, otherwise the killing and slaying of George Hallijohn, and before night would be on their road to the county prison at Lindborough. And that vain ill-starred affy, what of her? Well, affy had retreated to the witness room again after giving evidence, and there she remained to the close, agreeably occupied in a mental debate. What would they make out from her admission regarding her sojourn to London, and the morning calls? How would that precious West Lynn construe it? She did not much care. She drove it out, and assailed them with towering indignation. Did any dare to cast a stone at her? Such was her final decision, arrived just as the proceedings terminated. Affy was right glad to remain where she was, till some of the bustle had gone. How was it ended? Asked she of Mr Ball, who, being a bachelor, was ever regarded with much graciousness by Affy, for she kept her eyes open to contingencies, although Mr Joe Giffin was held in reserve. They are both committed for willful murder, off to Lynnborough within an hour. Affy's colour rose. What a shame to commit two innocent men upon such a charge. I can tell you what, Miss Affy, may you disabuse your mind of that prejudice, the better. Levison has been as good as proved guilty today, but if proof were wanting, he and Bethel have criminated each other. When rogues fall out, honest men get their own. Not that I can quite fathom Bethel's share in the exploit, though I can pretty well guess at it. Unfortunately, they have proved the innocence of Richard Hare. Affy's face was changing to whiteness, her confident air to one a dread, her vanity to humiliation. It can't be true, she gasped. It's true enough. The part you have hitherto exclaimed to Thorn was enacted by Richard Hare. At that moment, he saw Thorn run, ghastly, trembling, horrified from his wicked work. Believe me, it was Thorn who killed your father. Affy grew cold as she listened. That one awful moment when conviction that his words were true forced itself upon her was enough to sober her for a whole lifetime. Her head reeled, her very heart turned to sickness, one struggling cry of pain, and for the second time that day, Affy Haller-John fell forward in a fainting fit. Shouts, hisses, execrations, yells. The prisoners were being brought forth to be conveyed to Lindborough. A whole posse of constables was necessary to protect them against the outbreak of the mob, which outbreak was not directed against Otway Bethel, but against Sir Francis Leveson. Cowering like the guilty culprit that he was, shivered he, hiding his wide face, wondering whether it would be a repetition of Justice Hare's green pond, or tearing him asunder piecemeal, and cursing the earth because it did not open and let him in. End of Chapter 40 Part 2 Chapter 41 of Eastland This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Eastland by Mrs. Henry Wood Chapter 41 The Firm Miss Lucy was an impentenance. She had been guilty of some childish fault that day at Aunt Cornelia's witch. Coming to the knowledge of Mrs. Carlisle, after their return home, the young lady was ordered to the nursery for the rest of the day, and to be regaled upon bread and water. Barbara was in her pleasant dressing room. There was to be a dinner party at Eastland that evening, and she had just finished dressing. Very lovely looked she dressed with purple and scarlet flowers in her bosom. She glanced at her watch somewhat anxiously for the gentleman had not made their appearance. Half past six, and they were to dine at seven. Madame Vine tapped at the door. Her errand was to bag grace for Lucy. She had been promised half an hour in the drawing room when the ladies entered it from the dessert table and was now in agony of grief at the disappointment. Would Mrs. Carlisle pardon her first? You are too lenient to the child, Madame, spoke Barbara. I don't think you ever would punish her at all. But when she commits false, they must be corrected. She is very sorry for her fault. She promises not to be rude again. She is crying as if she would cry her heart out. Not for her ill behavior, but because she is afraid of missing the drawing room tonight, cried Barbara. Do pray restore her to favor, pleaded Madame. I shall see. Just look, Madame Vine. I broke this a minute or two ago. Is it not a pity? Barbara held in her hand a beautiful toilet ornament set in pure gold. One of the petals had come off. Madame Vine examined it. I have some cement upstairs that would join it, she exclaimed. I could do it in two minutes. I brought it in France. Oh, I wish you would, was Barbara's delighted response. Do bring it here and join it now. Shall I bribe you? she added, laughing. You make this all right and then you shall never bear back grace to Lucy, for I perceive that is what your heart is set upon. Madame Vine went and returned with her cement. Barbara watched her as she took the pieces in her hand to see how the one must fit onto the other. This has been broken once, as Joyce tells me. Barbara said, but it must have been imperceptibly joined, for I have looked in vain for the damage. Mr. Carlisle brought it for his first wife when they were in London. After their marriage she broke it subsequently here at Eastland. You will never do it, Madame Vine. If your hand shakes like that. What is the matter? A great deal was the matter. First the omnious words have been upon her tongue. It was here where the stem joins the flower, but she recollected herself in time. Next came up the past vision of an hour when the accident occurred. Her hanging sleeve had swept it off the table. Mr. Carlisle was in the room. And he had soothed her sorrow. Her almost childish sorrow with kisses sweet. Ah, me, poor thing, I think our hands would have shaken as hers did. The ornament and the kisses were Barbara's now. I ran quickly up the stairs and back again, was the explanation she offered to Mrs. Carlisle for her shaking hands. At the moment Mr. Carlisle and her guests were heard to return and ascend to their respective apartments Lord Vane's gleeful voice echoing through the house. Mr. Carlisle came in to his wife's dressing room, and Madame Vine would have made a precipitate retreat. No, no, said Barbara. Finish it. Now you have begun. Mr. Carlisle will be going to his room. Look at the misfortune I have had. Archibald, I have broken this. Mr. Carlisle glanced carelessly at the trinket and at Madame Vine's white fingers he crossed to the door of his dressing room and opened it then held out his hand in silence for Barbara to approach and drew her in with him. Madame Vine went on with her work. Presently Barbara returned and approached the table where stood Madame Vine while she drew on her gloves. Her eyelashes were wet. I could not help shedding a few tears of joy exclaimed Barbara with a pretty blush, perceiving that Madame observed the signs. Mr. Carlisle had been telling me that my brother's innocence is now all but patient to the world. It came out upon the examination of those two men, Sir Francis and Ottway Bethel. Lord Mount Severn was present at the proceedings and says they have in some way incriminated each other. Papa sat in his place as chairman. I wonder that he liked to do so. Lower bent the head of Madame Vine over her appointment. Has anything been proved against them? She asked in her usual soft tone almost a whisper. There is a lot the least doubt of the guilt of the vision, but Ottway Bethel's share in the affair is a puzzle yet replied Mrs. Carlisle. Both are committed for trial. Oh that man, that man how has sins come out? She continued in excitement. Madame Vine glanced up through her spectacles. Would you believe continued Barbara dropping her voice that while West Lynn and I fear ourselves also gave that miserable offy credit for having gone away with Richard. She was all the time with Leveson. Ball the lawyer got her to confess today. I am acquainted with the details. Mr. Carlisle would not give them to me. He said the bear fact was quite enough and considering the associations it involved would not do to talk of. Mr. Carlisle was right. Out it seems to come little by little, one wickedness after another. Resumed Barbara I do not like Mr. Carlisle to hear it. No I don't. Of course there is no help for it but he must feel it terribly as must also Lord Mount Severn. She was his wife, you know and the children are hers and to think that she, I mean he must feel it for her. Went on Barbara after her sudden pause and there was some head to your inner tone lest she should be misunderstood. Mr. Carlisle is one of the very few men so entirely noble whom the sword of disgrace reflected from Lady Isabelle's conduct cannot touch. The carriage of the first guest Barbara ran across the room and rattled at Mr. Carlisle's door. Archibald do you hear? Back came the laughing answer. I shan't keep them long but they may surely accord a few minutes grace to a man who has just been converted into an MP. Barbara descended to the drawing room, leaving her that unhappy lady to the cement and the broken pieces and to battle as best she could with her bitter heart. Nothing but stabs, nothing but stabs was her punishment ever to end. No, the step she had taken in coming back to Eastland had precluded that. The guests arrived. With Mr. and Mrs. Hare Barbara received a note from her instead. The justice did not feel well enough to join them. I should think he did not. A pleasant party it was at Eastland and twelve o'clock struck before the carriage of the last guest drove away. It may have been from one to two hours after that and the house was steeped in moonlight and quietness. Everybody being a bed and asleep when a loud summons at the hall bell echoed through the stillness. Her head out the window was Wilson. Is it fire? shrieks she. In the most excessive state of terror conceivable Wilson had a natural dread of fire. Some people do possess this dread more than others and had often time aroused the house to a commotion by declaring the smelt it. Is it fire? shrieked Wilson. Yes, was shouted at the top of a man's voice who stepped from between the entrance pillars to answer. Wilson waited for no more clutching at the baby in one hand, a fine young gentleman now of near twelve months old promising fair to be as great a source of trouble to Wilson and the nursery as was his brother Algebald whom he greatly resembled and at Archie with the other out she flew to the corridor screeching fire, fire, fire never seizing down to her Wilson with the four children and burst unceremoniously into the sleeping apartment of Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle. By this time the children terrified out of their senses not at Wilson's cry of alarm but at the summery, propelling downstairs set up a shrieking too. Ma'am Vine, believing that half the house at least was in flames was the next to appear throwing on a shawl she had caught up and then came Joyce. Fire, fire, fire shouted Wilson we are all being burnt up together. Poor Mrs. Carlisle thus wildly aroused from sleep spring out of bed and into the corridor in her night dress everybody else was in a night dress when folks were flying for dear life they don't stop to look for their dress coats and best blonde caps out came Mr. Carlisle who has hastily assumed his pantaloons he cast a rapid glance down to the hall and saw that the stairs were perfectly free for escape therefore to hurry was not so violent every soul around him was shrieking in concert making the confusion and din terrific the bright moonlight streamed in at the corridor windows but there is no other light shadowy and indistinct enough looked at the white figures where is the fire he exclaimed I don't smell any who gave the first alarm the bell answered him the hauled bell which rang out ten times louder and longer than before he opened one of the windows and leaned from it who's there, midam vine caught up archie it's me sir, responded a voice which he at once recognized to be that of one of Mr. Hare's men's servants master has been token of fit sir and mistress sent me for you and Miss Barbara you must please take haste sir if you want to see him alive Miss Barbara it is more familiar to Jasper in a moment of excitement than the new name you Jasper is the house on fire this house well I don't know sir I can hear a dreadful deal of screeching in it Mr. Carlyle closed the window he began to suspect that the danger lay in fear alone who told you there was fire he demanded of Wilson that man ringing at the door sobbed Wilson, thank goodness I have saved the children Mr. Carlyle felt somewhat exasperated at the mistake his wife was trembling from head to foot with a deadly whiteness and he knew that she was not in a condition to be alarmed necessarily or unnecessarily she clung to him in terror asking if they could escape my darling, be calm there is no fire, it's a stupid mistake you may all go back to bed and sleep in peace he added to the rest and goodness to make yourself sure first of all that there's cause for it Barbara frightened still she went into the window and threw it open but Mr. Carlyle was nearly as quick as she he caught her to him with one hand and drew the window down with the other to have these tidings told to her abruptly would be worse than all by this time some of the servants had descended the other staircase with the light being in various stages of costume and hastened to open the hall door Jasper entered the man had probably waited to help out the fire Barbara caught sight of him Mr. Carlyle could prevent it and grew sick with fear believing some ill had happened to her mother drying her inside their chamber he broke the news to her soothingly and tenderly making light of it she burst into tears you are not deceiving me Archibald Papa is not dead dead cheerfully echoed Mr. Carlyle in the same tone he might have used had Barbara wondered whether the justice was taking a night airing for pleasure in a balloon Wilson has indeed frightened you love dress yourself and we will go and see him at that moment Barbara recollected William strange that she should have been the first to do so before Lady Isabelle before Mr. Carlyle she ran out again to the corridors where the boy stood shivering he may have caught his death she uttered watching him up in their arms oh Wilson what have you done his nightgown is damp and cold unfit as she was for the burden she bore him to her own bed Wilson was not at leisure to attend to reproaches just then she was engaged in a wordy war with Jasper leaning over the balster rays to carry it on I never told you there was a fire indignantly denied Jasper you did I opened the nursery window and called out is it fire and you answered yes you called out is it Jasper what else would I say but yes to that fire where was the fire likely to be in the park Wilson take the children back to bed authoritatively spoke Mr. Carlyle as he advanced to look down into the hall John are you there the close carriage instantly looked sharp Madame Vine pray don't continue to hold that heavy boy Joyce can't you relieve Madame in crossing back to his room Mr. Carlyle had brushed past Madame and noticed that she appeared to be shaking as with the weight of Archibald in reality she was still alarmed not understanding yet the cause of the commotion Joyce who comprehended it as little and had stood with her arms around Lucy advanced to take Archibald and Mr. Carlyle disappeared Barbara had taken off her own warm nightgown and put it upon William in place of his cold one had struck a light and was busily dressing herself just feel this nightgown Archibald Wilson a shrill cry of awful terror interrupted the words and Mr. Carlyle made one bound out again Barbara followed the least she thought was that Wilson had dropped the baby in the hall that was not the catastrophe Wilson with the baby and Lucy had already disappeared up the staircase and Madame Vine was disappearing Archibald lay on the soft carpet of the corridor where Madame had stood for Joyce in the act of taking him had let him slip to the ground let him fall from sheer terror she held on to the ballast strays her face ghastly her mouth open her eyes fixed in horror altogether an object to look upon Archie gathered himself on his sturdy legs and stood staring why Joyce what is the matter with you cried Mr. Carlyle you look as if you had seen a specter oh master she wailed I have seen one are you all going to range together retorted he wondering what had come to the house seen a specter Joyce Joyce fell on her knees as if unable to support herself and cross her shaking hands upon her chest had she seen 10 specters she could not have betrayed more dire distress she was a sensible and faithful servant one not given to flights of fancy and Mr. Carlyle gazed at her in very amazement Joyce what is this he asked bending down and speaking kindly oh my dear master heaven have mercy upon us all was the inexplicable answer Joyce I ask you what is this she made no reply she rose up shaking and taking Archie's hand slowly proceeded toward the upper stairs lo-moans breaking from her and the boys naked feet pattering on the carpet what can ale her whispered Barbara following Joyce with her eyes what did she mean about a specter she must have been reading a ghost book said Carlyle Wilson's folly has turned the house topsy-turvy make your haste Barbara spring waned summer came and would soon be waning too for the hot days of July were now in what had the months brought forth since the election of Mr. Carlyle in April be you very sure they had not been without their events Mr. Justice hair's illness had turned out to be a stroke of paralysis people cannot act with unnatural harshness toward a child and then discover they have been in the wrong with impunity thus it proved Mr. Justice's hair he was recovering but would never again be the man he had been the fright when Jasper had gone to towel of his illness at Eastland and was mistaken for fire had done nobody any damage save William and Joyce William had caught a cold which brought increased malady to his lungs and Joyce seemed to have caught fear she went about more like one in dream than awake would be buried in a river for an hour at a time and was suddenly spoken to which started shiver Mr. Carlyle and his wife departed for London immediately that Mr. Hair was pronounced out of danger which was in about a week from the time of his seizure William accompanied them partly for the benefit of London advice partly that Mr. Carlyle would not be parted from him Joyce went in attendance with some of the servants they found London ringing with the news of Sir Francis Leveson's arrest London could not understand it and the most wild and improbable tales were in circulation the season was at its height the excitement in proportion it was more than a nine days wonder on the very evening of their arrival a lady young and beautiful was shown in to the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Carlyle she had declined to give her name but there arose to Mr. Carlyle's memory and when he looked upon her one whom he had seen in earlier days as the friend of his first wife Blanche Coloner it was not Blanche however the stranger looked keenly at Mr. Carlyle he was standing with his hat in his hand on the point of going out will you pardon this intrusion he asked I have come to you as one human being in need comes to crave help of another I am Lady Leveson Barbara's face flushed Mr. Carlyle courteously invited the stranger to a chair remaining standing himself she sat for a moment and then rose evidently in an excess of agitation yes I am Lady Leveson forced to call that man husband that he has been a wicked man I have long known but now I hear he is a criminal I hear it I say but I can get the truth from none I went to Lord Mount Severn he declined to give me particulars I heard that Mr. Carlyle would be in town today and I resolved to come and ask them of him she delivered the sentences in a jerking abrupt tone betraying her inward emotion Mr. Carlyle looking somewhat unapproachable made no immediate reply you and I have both been deeply wronged by him Mr. Carlyle but I brought my wrong upon myself you did not my sister Blanche whom he had cruelly treated and if I speak of it I only speak of what is known to the world warned me against him Mrs. Leveson his grandmother that ancient lady who must now be bordering upon 90 she warned me the night before my wedding day she came on purpose to tell me that if I married Francis Leveson I should rue it for life there was yet time to retract she said yes there would have been time but there was no will I would not listen to either I was led away by vanity by folly by something worse the triumphing over my sister poor Blanche but which has the best of the bargain now she or I and I have a child she continued dropping her voice a boy who inherits his father's name Mr. Carlyle will they condemn him nothing as yet is positively proved against him replied Mr. Carlyle compassionating the unhappy lady if I could but get a divorce she passionately uttered apparently losing all self-control I might have got one over and over again since we married but there would have been the expose and the scandal if I could but change my child's name tell me does any chance of redness remain for me and Mr. Carlyle did not attempt to speak of any he offered a few kind words of sympathy very generally expressed and then prepared to go out she moved and stood in his way you will not leave until you have given me the particulars I pray you do not I came trustingly to you hoping to know them I am waited for to keep an important engagement he answered and were my time at liberty I should decline to tell them to you on my own account as well as on yours lay not discourtesy to my charge Lady Leveson where I speak of the man even to you his name would blister my lips in every word of haste spoken by you I would sympathize every contemptuous expression of scorn cast upon him from your heart I would join in ten fold Barbara was shocked was your husband after all she took leave to whisper my husband broke forth Lady Leveson in agitation seemingly yes there is the wrong why did he knowing what he was delude me into becoming his wife you ought to feel for me Mrs. Carlyle and you do feel for me for you are a wife and mother how dare these basemen marry take to themselves an innocent inexperienced girl vowing before God to love and honor and cherish her we're not his other sins impediment enough but he must have crime also and woomy he has done me deep and irredeemable wrong and has entailed upon his child an inheritance of shame what had he or I done to deserve it I ask Barbara felt half frightened at her vehemence and Barbara might be thankful not to understand it all her native gentleness all her reticence of feeling a wife and a gentle woman had been goaded out of her the process had been going on for some time but his last revelation was the crowning point and Alice, Lady Leveson turned round upon the world in her helpless resentment as any poor wife working in a garret might have done there are certain wrongs which bring out human nature in the high born as well as in the low still he is your husband Barbara could with deep precaution again plead he made himself my husband by deceit and I will throw him off in the face of day returned Lady Leveson there is no moral obligation why I should not he has worked ill and ruin ill and ruin upon me and my child and the world shall never be allowed to think I have borne my share in it how was it you kept your hands off him when he reappeared to brave you in whistlin he changed tone turning to Mr. Carlyle I cannot tell I was a marvel often times to myself he quitted the room as he spoke adding a few civil words about her with Mrs. Carlyle Barbara not possessing the sculptures of her husband yielded to Lady Leveson's request and gave her the outline of the dark tale its outline only and generally suppressing Afie's name beyond the evening of the fatal event listened without interruption do you and Mr. Carlyle believe him to have been guilty yes but Mr. Carlyle will not express his opinion to the world he does not repay wrong with revenge I have heard him say that if the lifting of his finger would send the man to his punishment he would tie down his hand rather than lift it was his first wife Isabel Vayne mad she presently asked mad echoed Barbara in surprise when she quitted him for the other it could have been nothing else than madness I could understand a woman's flying from him for love of Mr. Carlyle but now that I have seen your husband I cannot understand the reverse side of the picture I thank you for your courtesy Mrs. Carlyle and without another word Alice Leveson quitted the room as abruptly as she had entered it while the London visit came to an end it was of little more than three weeks duration for Barbara must be safe at home again Mr. Carlyle remained for the rest of the season alone but he varied it with journeys to Eastland he had returned home for good now July although the session had not quite terminated there was another baby at Eastland a lovely little baby pretty as Barbara herself had been at a month old William was fading rapidly the London physicians had but confirmed the opinion of Dr. Martin and it was evident to all that the close would not be long protracted somebody else was fading, Lady Isabel the cross had been too heavy and she was sinking under its weight can you wonder at it an intensely hot day it was under the July sun Afi Halijon was sailing up the street in its beams thinner and veiner than ever she had encountered Mr. Carlyle so Afi, you are really going to be married at last? Giffen fancy so sir I am not sure yet but what I shall change my mind Giffen thinks there's nobody like me if I could eat gold and silver he'd provide it and he's as fond as fond can be but then you know sir, he's half soft soft as to you perhaps left Mr. Carlyle I consider him a very civil respectable man, Afi and then I never did think to marry a shopkeeper grumbled Afi looked a little higher than that only fancy sir, having a husband who wears a white apron tied around him terrible responded Mr. Carlyle with a grave face not but what it will be a tolerable settlement rejoined Afi veering round a point he's having his house done up in style and I shall keep two good servants and do nothing myself but dress and subscribe to the library he makes plenty of money a very tolerable settlement I should say, returned Mr. Carlyle and Afi's face fell before the glance of his eye, married though it was take care you don't spend all his money for him, Afi I'll take care of that nodded Afi, significantly sir, she somewhat abruptly added what is it that's the matter with Joyce I do not know said Mr. Carlyle, becoming serious there does appear to be something the matter with her for she has much changed I never saw anybody so changed in my life exclaim Afi, I told her the other day that she was just like one who had got some dreadful secret upon their mind it is really more like that than anything else observed Mr. Carlyle but she is one of the close ones is Joyce, continued Afi, no fear that she'll give out a clue, if it does not suit her to do so, she told me an answer to mine my own business and not to take absurd fancies in my head how was the baby sir and Mrs. Carlyle all well, good day Afi End of Chapter 41 Chapter 42 of Eastland this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Eastland by Mrs. Henry Wood Chapter 42 The Trial Spacious Courts were the Assias Courts of Lindborough and it was well they were so otherwise more people had been disappointed and numbers were of hearing the noted trial of Sir Francis Leveson for the murder of George Hallijohn the circumstances attending the case caused it to bear for the public in unparalleled interest the rank of the accused and his antecedents more especially that particular local antecedent touching the lady Isabel Carlyle, the verdict still out against Richard Hare the length of time which had elapsed since the part played in it by Afi the tense curiosity as to the part taken in it by Ottway Bethel the speculation as to what had been the exact details and the doubt of a conviction all contributed to a fan the curiosity of a public people came from far and near to be present friends of Mr. Carlyle friends of the Heirs friends of the Chalender family friends of the Prisoner besides the general public Colonial Bethel and Mr. Justice Hare had conspicuous seats at a few minutes past nine the judge took his place on the beach but not before a rumor had gone through the court a rumor that seemed to shake it to its center and which people stretched out their necks to hear Ottway Bethel had turned queen's evidence and was to be admitted as a witness for the crown thin haggard pale looked Francis Levison as he was placed in the dock his incarceration had not in any way contributed to his personal advantages and there was an ever recurring expression of dread upon his continents not pleasant to look upon he was dressed in black old Mrs. Levison having died and his diamond ring showed conspicuous still on his white hand now whiter than ever the most eminent counsel were engaged on both sides the testimony of the witnesses already given need not be recapitulated the identification of the Prisoner with the man Thorn was fully established Abednazer James proved that Afie proved it and also that he, Thorn, was at the cottage that night Sir Peter Levison's groom was likewise reexamined but still there wanted other testimony Afie was made to reassert that Thorn had to go to the cottage for his hat after leaving her but that proved nothing and the conversation or quarrel overheard by Mr. Dill was now again put forward if this was all the evidence people opened that the case for the prosecution would break down Colleritchard Hare said the counsel for the prosecution those present who knew Mr. Justice Hare looked up at him wondering why he did not stir an answer to his name wondering at the pallid hue which overspread his face not he but another came forward a fair placid gentlemanly young man with blue eyes fair hair and a pleasant countenance it was Richard Hare the younger he had assumed his original position in life so far as attire went and in that at least was a gentleman again in speech also with his working dress Richard had thrown off his working manners a strange hubbub arose in court Richard Hare the exile the reported dead the man whose life was in jeopardy the spectators rose with one accord to get a better view they stood on tiptoe they pushed forth their necks they strained their eyesight and amidst all the noisy hum the groan bursting from the lips of Justice Hare was unnoticed whilst order was being called for and the judge threatened to clear the court two officers moved themselves quietly up and stood behind the witness Richard Hare was in custody though he might know it not the witness was sworn what is your name Richard Hare son of Mr. Hare I believe of the grove Westlin his only son the same against whom a verdict of willful murder is out near pose the judge the same my lord replied Richard Hare who appeared strange as it may seem to have cast away all his old fearfulness then witness let me warn you I am obliged to answer any question that may tend to discriminate yourself my lord answered Richard Hare with some emotion I wish to answer any and every question put to me I have but one hope that the full truth of all pertaining to that fatal evening may be made manifest this day look round at the prisoner said the examining council do you know him I know him now as Sir Francis Levison up to April last I believe his name to be thorn state what occurred on the evening of the murder as far as your knowledge goes I had an appointment that evening with Affie Hallijohn and we're down to the cottage to keep it a moment interrupted the council was your last visit that evening made in secret partially so my father and mother were displeased naturally at my intimacy with Affie Hallijohn therefore I did not care that they should be cognizant of my visits there I'm ashamed to confess that I told my father a lie over it that very evening he saw me leave the dinner table to go out with my gun and inquired where I was off to I answered that I was going out with young bug champ when in point of fact you were not no I took my gun for I had promised to lend it to Hallijohn while his own was being repaired when I reached the cottage Affie refused to admit me she was busy and could not she said I felt sure she had got Thorn with her she had more than once before refused to admit me when I had gone there by her own appointment and I always found that Thorn's presence in the cottage was the obstacle I suppose you and Thorn were jealous of each other I was jealous of him I freely admit it I don't know whether he was of me may I inquire what was the nature of your friendship for Miss Affie Hallijohn I loved her with an honorable love as I might have done by any young lady in my own station of life I would not have married her in opposition to my father and mother but I told Affie that if she was content to wait for me until I was my own master I would then make her my wife you had no views toward her of a different nature none I cared for her too much for that and I respected her father Affie's mother had been a lady too although she had married Hallijohn who was but clerk to Mr. Carlyle no I never had a thought of wrong toward Affie I never could have had now relate the occurrences of the evening Affie would not admit me and we had a few words over it but at length I went away first giving her the gun and telling her it was loaded she lodged it against the wall just inside the door and I went into the wood and waited determined to see whether or not Thorn was with her for she had denied that he was loxley saw me there and asked why I was hiding I did not answer but I went further off quite out of view of the cottage sometime afterward less than half an hour I heard a shot in the direction of the cottage somebody was having a late pop at the partridge I thought just then I saw Otway Bethel emerge from the trees not far from me and run toward the cottage my lord added Richard Hare looking at the judge that was the shot that killed Hallijohn could the shot ask the council have been fired by Otway Bethel it could not it was much farther off Bethel disappeared and in another minute there came someone flying down the path leading from the cottage it was Thorn and evidently in a state of intense terror his face was livid his eyes staring and he panted and shook like one in the egg passed me he tore on down the path and I afterwards heard the sound of his horse galloping away it had been tied in the wood did you follow him no I wondered what had happened to put him in that state but I made haste to the cottage intending to reproach Afi with her duplicity I leaped up the two steps and fell over the prostrate body of Hallijohn he was lying dead within the door my gun just discharged was flung on the floor its continents in Hallijohn's side you might have heard a pin drop in court so intense was the interest there appeared to be no one in the cottage upstairs or down I called to Afi but she did not answer I caught up the gun and was running from the cottage when Loxley came out of the wood and looked at me I grew confused fearful and I threw the gun back again made off what were your motives for acting in that way a panic had come over me and in that moment I must have lost the use of my reason otherwise I never should have acted as I did thoughts, especially a fear passed through our minds with astonishing swiftness and I feared lest the crime should be fastened upon me it was fear made me snatch up my gun lest it should be found near the body it was fear made me throw it back again when Loxley appeared in view a fear you understand which all judgment, all reason had departed but for my own conduct the charge never would have been laid to me go on in my flight I came upon Bethel I knew that if he had gone toward the cottage after the shot was fired he must have encountered thorn flying from it he denied that he had he said he had only gone along the path for a few paces and had then plunged into the wood again I believed him and departed departed from West Lynn that night I did it was a foolish fatal step the result of cowardice I found the charge was laid to me and I thought I would absent myself for a day or two to see how things turned out next came the inquest and the verdict against me and I then left for good this is the truth so far as you are consignant of it I swear that it is truth and the whole truth so far as I am cognizant of it replied Richard Hare with emotion I could not assert it more solemnly where I before God he was subjected to a rigid cross examination but his testimony was not shaken in the least perhaps not one present but was impressed with his truth Afi Halajon was recalled and questioned as to Richard's presence at her father's house that night it tallied with the account given by Richard but it had to be drawn from her why did you decline to revive Richard Hare into the cottage after appointing him to come because I chose returned Afi tell the jury why you chose well I had got a friend with me it was Captain Thorn she added feeling that she should only be questioned on this point so might as well acknowledge it I did not admit Richard Hare for I fancy they might get up a quarrel if they were together for what purpose did Richard Hare bring down his gun do you know it was to lend to my father my father's gun had something the matter with it and was at the Smith's I had heard him the previous day ask Mr. Richard to lend him one of his and Mr. Richard said he would bring one as he did you lodged the gun against the wall safely quite safely was it touched by you after placing it there or by the prisoner I did not touch it neither did he that I saw it was that same gun which was afterward found near my father and had been discharged the next witness called was Otway Bethel he also held share in the curiosity of the public but not an equal degree with Afi still less with Richard Hare the substance of his testimony was as follows on the evening that Halogen was killed I was in the Abbey Wood and I saw Richard Hare come down the path with a gun as if he had come down from his own home did Richard Hare see you no he could not see me I was right in the ticket he went to the cottage door and was about to enter when Afi Halogen came hastily out of it pulling the door to behind her and holding it in her hand as if afraid he would go in some colloquy ensued but I was too far off to hear it and then she took the gun from him and went indoors sometime after that I saw Richard Hare amid the trees at a distance farther off the cottage then then I was and apparently watching the path I was wondering what he was up to hiding there when I had a shot fired close as it seemed to the cottage and stop a bit witness could that shot have been fired by Richard Hare he could not he was a quarter of a mile nearly away from it I was much nearer the cottage than he go on I could not imagine what that shot meant or who could have fired it not that I suspected mischief and I knew that poachers did not congregate so near Halogen's cottage I set off to rake a nighter and as I turned the corner which brought the house within my view I saw Captain Thorn as he was called come leaping out of it his face was white with terror his breath was gone in short I never saw any living man betray so much agitation I caught his arm as he would have passed me what have you been about? I asked was it you that fired? he stay why did you suspect him from his state of excitement from the terror he was in that some ill had happened I felt sure and so would you had you see him as I did my arresting him increased his agitation he tried to throw me off but I am a strong man and I suppose he thought it best to temporize keep dark upon it Bethel he said I will make it worth your while the thing was not pre-mediated it was done in the heat of passion what business had the fellow to abuse me I have done no harm to the girl and he thus spoke he took out a pocketbook with the hand that was at liberty I held the other as the prisoner thus spoke you mean the prisoner he took a banknote from his pocketbook and thrust it into my hands it was a note for fifty pounds what's done can't be undone Bethel he said and you're saying that you saw me here conserve no good turn shall it be silence I took the note and answered that it should be silence I had not the least idea that anybody was killed what did you suppose had happened then I could not suppose I could not think it all passed in the haste and confusion of a moment and no definite idea occurred to me thorn flew on down the path and I stood looking after him the next was I heard footsteps and I slipped within the trees they were those of Richard Hare who took the path to the cottage presently he turned little less agitated than thorn had been I had gone into an open space then and he accosted me asking if I had seen that hound fly from the cottage what hound I asked of him that fine fellow, that thorn who comes after affy answered but I stoutly denied that I had seen anyone Richard Hare continued his way and I afterward found that Hallijohn was killed and so you took a bribe to conceal one of the foulest crimes that man ever committed Mr. Otway Bethel I took the money and I am ashamed to confess it but it was done without reflection I swear that had I known what crime it was and tended to hush up I never would have touched it I was hard up for funds and the amount tempted me when I discovered what had really happened and that Richard Hare was accused I was thunderstruck at my own deed many a hundred times since have I cursed the money and the fate of Richard has been as a heavy weight upon my conscious you might have lifted the weight by confessing to what end it was too late thorn had disappeared I never heard of him or saw him until he came to Westland this last spring as Sir Francis Levison to oppose Mr. Carlyle Richard Hare had also disappeared had never been seen or heard of and most people suppose he was dead to what end then should I confess perhaps only to be suspected myself besides I had taken the money upon a certain understanding and it was only fair that I should keep to it if Richard Hare was subjected to a severe cross examination a far more severe one was in Bethel the judge spoke to him only once his tone ringing with reproach it appears then witness that you have retained within you all these years the proofs of Richard Hare's innocence I can only acknowledge it with contrition my lord what did you know of thorn in those days as the council nothing saved that he frequented the Abbey Wood his object being Affie Hallijohn I had never exchanged a word with him until that night but I knew his name thorn at least the one he went by and by his addressing me as Bethel it appeared that he knew mine the case for the prosecution closed an able and ingenuous speech was made for the defense the learned council who offered it contending that there was still no proof of Sir Francis having been the guilty man neither was there any proof that the catastrophe was not the result of pure accident a loaded gun standing against a wall in a small room was not a safe weapon and he called upon the jury not rashly to convict in the uncertainty but to give the prisoner the benefit of the doubt he should called no witness he observed not even to character character for Sir Francis Levison the court burst into a grin the only sobber face in it being that of the judge the judge summed up certainly not in the prisoner's favor but to use the expression of some abyss the audience dead against him Ottway Bethel came in for a sideshaft or two from his lordship Richard Hare for sympathy the jury retired about four o'clock and the judge quitted the bench a very short time they were absent scarcely a quarter of an hour his lordship returned into court and the prisoner was again placed in the dock he was a hue of marble and in his nervous agitation kept incessantly throwing back his hair from his forehead the action already spoken of silence was proclaimed how say you gentlemen of the jury guilty or not guilty? guilty it was a silence to be felt and the prisoner gassed once or twice convulsively but said the foreman we wish to recommend him to mercy on what grounds inquired the judge because my lord we believe it was not a crime planned by the prisoner beforehand but arose out of the bad passions and was so committed the judge paused and drew something black from the receptable of his pocket buried deep in his robes prisoner at the bar have you anything to urge why sentence of death should not be passed upon you? the prisoner clutched the front of the dock he threw up his head as of shaking off the dread fear which had oppressed him and the marble of his face changed to scarlet only this my lord the jury in giving their reason recommending me to your lordship's mercy have adopted the right view of the case as it actually occurred the man Halijohn's wife was taken by me it will be useless for me to deny in the face of the evidence given this day but it was not taken in malice when I quitted the girl affy and went to the cottage for my hat I no more contemplated injuring mortal man than I contemplated at this moment he was there my father and in the dispute that ensured the catastrophe occurred my lord it was not willful murder the prisoner seized and the judge the black cap on his head crossed his hands one upon the other prisoner at the bar you have been convicted by clear and undoubted evidence of the crime of willful murder the jury have pronounced you guilty and in their verdict I entirely coincide that you took the life of that ill-fated and unoffending man there is no doubt you have yourself confessed it it was a foul a barbarous a wicked act I care not for what may have been the particular circumstances attending it he may have provoked you by words but no provocation of that nature could justify your drawing the gun upon him your counsel urged that you were a gentleman a member of the British aristocracy and therefore deserved consideration I confessed that I was much surprised to hear such a doctrine fall from his lips in any opinion you being what you are your position in life makes your crime the worse and I have always maintained that when a man possessed of advantages falls into sin he deserves less consideration than does one who is poor simple and uneducated certain portions of the evidence given today and I do not now allude to the actual crime tell very greatly against you and I am sure not one in the court but must have turned from them with abhorrence you were pursuing the daughter of this man with no honourable purpose and in this point your conduct contrasts badly with the avowal of Richard Hare equally a gentleman with yourself in this pursuit you killed her father and not content with that you still pursued the girl and pursued her to ruin basically deceiving her as to the actual facts and laying the crime upon another I cannot trust myself to speak further upon this point nor is it necessary that I should it is not to answer for that that you stand before me uncalled, unprepared and by you unpitted you hurried that unfortunate man into eternity and you must now expiate the crime with your own life the jury have recommended you to mercy and the recommendation will be forwarded in due course to the proper quarter but you must be aware how frequently this clause is appended to a verdict and how very rarely it is attended to just cause being wanting I can but enjoy in you and I do so most earnestly to pass the little time that probably remains to you on earth in seeking repitence and forgiveness you are best aware yourself what your past life has been the world knows somewhat of it but there is pardon above for the most guilty when it is earnestly sought it now only remains for me to pass the sentence of the law it is that you, Francis Levison be taken back to the place from whence you came and then to the place of execution and that you be there hanged by the neck until you are dead and may the Lord God Almighty have mercy on your soul amen the court was cleared the day's excitement was over and the next case was inquired for not quite over however the excitement the audience crowded in again for the next proved to be the arraignment of Richard Hare for the younger a formal proceeding merely in pursuance of the verdict of the coroner's inquest no evidence was offered against him and the judge ordered him to be discharged Richard poor ill used bated Richard was a free man again then ensued the scene of all scenes half at least of those present were residents of or from near Westlin they had known Richard Hare from infancy they had admired the boy in his pretty childhood they had liked him in his unoffending boy head but they had been none the less ready to cast their harsh stones at him and to thunder down their denunciations when the time came in proportion to their fierceness then was their contrition now Richard had been innocent all the while they had been more guilty than he an English mob gentle or simple never gets up it's excitement by haves whether it's demonstration be of a laboratory or a condemnatory nature the steam is sure to be put on to bursting point with one universal show with one bound they rallied round Richard they congratulated him they overwhelmed him with good wishes they expressed with shame their repotence they said the future would be atone for the past had he possessed a hundred hands they would have been shaken off and when Richard extracted himself and turned in his pleasant forgiving loving nature to his father the stern old justice for getting his pride and pomposity burst into tears and sawed like a child as he murmured something about his also needing forgiveness dear father cried Richard his own eyes wet it is forgiven and forgotten already think how happy we shall be again together you and I and my mother the justice's hands which had been wound around his son relaxed their hold they were twitching curiously the body also began to twitch and he fell upon the shoulder of colonial Bethel in a second stroke of paralysis East Linn Chapter 43 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org East Linn by Mrs. Henry Wood Chapter 43 Part 1 The Death Chamber by the side of William Carlisle's dying bed knelt the Lady Isabel the time was at hand and the boy was quite reconciled to his fate merciful indeed is God to dying children it is astonishing how very readily when the right means are taken they may be brought to look with pleasure rather than fear upon their unknown journey the brilliant hectic type of the disease had gone from his cheeks his features were white and wasted and his eyes large and bright his silky brown hair was pushed off his temples and his little hot hands were thrown outside the bed it won't be very long to wait you know will it Madam Vine for what darling before they all come Papa and Mama and Lucy and all of them a jealous feeling shot through her weary heart was she nothing to him do you not care that I should come to you William yes I hope you will but do you think we shall know everybody in heaven or will it be only our own relations oh child I think there will be no relations as you call it up there we can trust all that to God however it may be William lay looking upward at the sky apparently in thought a dark blue serene sky from which shone the hot July sun his bed had been moved toward the window for he liked to sit in it and look at the landscape the window was open now and the butterflies and bees sported in the summer air I wonder how it will be pondered he allowed there will be the beautiful city its gates of pearl and its shining precious stones and its streets of gold and there will be the clear river and the trees with their fruits and their healing leaves and their lovely flowers and there will be the harps and music and singing and what else will there be everything that is desirable and beautiful William another pause Madam Vine will Jesus come for me do you think or will he send an angel Jesus has promised to come for his own redeemed for those who love him and wait for him yes yes and then I shall be happy forever it will be so pleasant to be there never to be tired or ill again pleasant I oh William would that the time were come she was thinking of herself of her freedom but the boy knew it not she buried her face in her hands and continued speaking William had to bend his ear to catch the faint whisper and there shall be no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away Madam Vine do you think mama will be there he presently ask I mean mama that was I air long I have nearly forgotten what she was like she leaned over him laying her forehead upon his wasted arm and burst into a flood of impassioned tears you will know her never fear William she has not forgotten you but how can we be sure that she will be there debated William after a pause of thought you know sinking his voice and speaking with hesitation she was not quite good she was not good enough to offer or to us sometimes I think sometimes she did not grow good suppose she did not grow good and did not ask God to forgive her oh William sob the unhappy lady her whole life after she left you was one long scene of repentance of seeking forgiveness her repentance her sorrow was greater than she could bear and what ask William for there was a pause and she broke in it yearning after you and your father what makes you think it child I know it William considered then had he been strong enough he would have started up with energy Madam Vine you could only know that by mama's telling you did you ever see her did you know her abroad Lady Isabel's thoughts were far away up in the clouds perhaps she reflected not on the possible consequences or she had never given it oh yes I knew her abroad oh said the boy why did you never tell us what did she say what was she like she said sobbing wildly that she was parted from her children here but that she would meet them in heaven and be with them forever William darling all the awful pain and sadness and guilt of this world will be washed out and God will wipe your tears away what was her face like he questioned softly like yours very much like Lucy's was she pretty a momentary pause yes oh dear I am ill hold me cried out William as his head sank to one side and great drops as large as peas broke forth upon his clammy face it appeared to be one of the temporary faint attacks that overpowered him at times lately crying the bell hastily Wilson came in and answered Joyce was the usual attendant upon the sick room but Mrs. Carlisle with her infant was passing the day at the grove unconscious of the critical state of William and she had taken Joyce with her it was the day following the trial Mr. Justice Hare had been brought to West Lynn in his second attack and Barbara had gone to see him to console her mother and to welcome Richard to his home again if one carriage drove that day to the grove with cards and inquiries fifty did not to speak of the foot collars it is all meant by way of attention to you Richard said gentle Mrs. Hare smiling through her loving tears at her restored son Lucy and Archie were dining at Miss Carlisle's and Sarah attended Little Arthur leaving Wilson free she came in and answered a Madam Vines ring is he often another faint unceremoniously cried she hastening to the bed I think so helped to raise him William did not faint no the attack was quite different from those he was subject to instead of losing consciousness and power as was customary he shook as if he had the Agu and laid hold both of Madam Vines and Wilson grabbing them convulsively don't let me fall don't let me fall he gasped my dear you cannot fall responded Madam Vines you forget that you are on the bed he clasped them yet and tremble still as from fear don't let me fall don't let me fall the incessant burden of his cry the paroxysm past they wiped his brow and stood looking at him Wilson with a mouth and a peculiar expression of face she put a spoon full of restorative jelly between his lips and he swallowed it but shook his head when she would have given him another turning his face to the pillow in a few minutes he was in a doze what could it have been exclaimed Lady Isabelle in an undertone to Wilson I know was the oracular answer I saw the same sort of an attack once before Madam and what caused it wasn't in a child though went on Wilson it comes for the same thing in all I think he was taken for death who other Lady Isabelle startled Wilson made no reply in words but she pointed with her finger to the bed all Wilson he is not so ill as that Mr. Wainwright said this morning that he might last a week or two Wilson composedly set herself down in the easiest chair she was not want to put herself out of the way for the governess and that the governess was too much afraid of her in one sense to let her know her place as to Wainwright he's nobody and if he saw the child's breath going out before his face and knew that the next moment would be his last he vowed to us all that he was good for 12 hours to come you don't know Wainwright as I do Madam he was our doctor at mothers and he has attended in all the places I have lived in since I went out five years I was made at Mrs. Hare's I came here when Miss Lucy was a baby and in all my places has he attended like one shadow my lady is about thought great guns of all Wainwright I remember it was more than I did my lady Isabelle made no response to this she took a seat and watched William through her glasses his breathing was more labored than usual that idiot Sarah says to me today says she which of his two grandpappas will they bury him by old Mr. Carlyle or Lord Mount Severn don't be a calf I answered her do you think they'll stick him out in the corner with my lord he'll be put in the Carlyle vault of course it would have been different you see Madam Vine if my lady had died at home all proper Mr. Carlyle's wife they'd have buried her no doubt by her father and the boy would have been laid with her but she did not was made by Madam Vine and a silence ensued nothing to be heard but that fleeting breath I wonder how that beauty feels suddenly broke forth Wilson again her torn one of scornful irony Lady Isabelle her eyes and her thoughts absorbed by William positively thought Wilson's words must relate to him she turned to her in surprise that bright Jim in the prison at Lindborough exclaimed Wilson I hope he may have found himself pretty well since yesterday I wonder how many trainfolds from West Linn will go to his hanging Isabelle's face turned crimson her heart sick she had not dared to inquire how the trial terminated the subject altogether was too dreadful and nobody had happened to mention it in her hearing is he condemned she breathed in a low tone he is condemned and good luck and Mr. Otway Bethel's let loose again and good luck to him a nice pair they are nobody went from this house to hear the trial it might not have been pleasant you know to Mr. Carlisle but people came in last night and told us all about it young Richard Hare chiefly convicted him he is back again and so nice looking they say ten times more so than when he was quite a young man you should have heard they say the cheering and shouts that greeted Mr. Richard when his innocence came out it pretty near rose off the roof of the court and the judge didn't stop it Wilson paused but there was no answering comment on she went again when Mr. Carlisle brought the news home last evening and broke it to his wife telling her how Mr. Richard had been received with acclamations she nearly fainted for she's not strong yet Mr. Carlisle called out to me to bring some water I was in the next room with the baby there she was the tears raining from her eyes and he holding her to him I always said there was a whole world of love between those two though he did go and marry another Mr. Carlisle ordered me to put the water down and sent me away again but I don't fancy he told her of all Hare's attack until this morning Lady Isabel lifted her aching forehead what attack why madam don't you know I declare you box yourself up in the house keeping from everybody and you hear nothing you might as well be living at the bottom of a coal pit old Hare had another stroke in the court at Lindborough and that's why my mistress has gone to the grove today who says Richard Hare's come home Wilson the question the weak scarcely audible question had come from the dying boy Wilson threw up her hands and made a bound to the bed the like of that she uttered aside to Mrs. Vine one never knows when to take sick ones master William you hold your tongue and drop to sleep again your papa will be home soon from Lindborough and if you talk and get tired he'll say it's my fault come shut your eyes will you have a bit more jelly William making no reply to the offer of jelly buried his face again on the pillow but he was grievously restless the nearly worn out spirit was ebbing and flowing end of chapter 43 part 1 reporting by Linda McDaniel June 2009