had of course heard nothing during her interview with Mrs. Orme at Noningsby. At that time Lady Mason had formed the sole subject of conversation; but in explaining to Mrs. Furnival that there certainly could be no unhallowed feeling between her husband and the lady, Mrs. Orme had not thought it necessary to allude to Sir Peregrine's past intentions. Mrs. Furnival, however, had heard the whole matter discussed in the railway carriage, had since interrogated her husband,—learning, however, not very much from him,—and now inquired into all the details from her daughter.
'And she and Sir Peregrine were really to be married?' Mrs. Furnival, as she asked the question, thought with confusion of her own unjust accusations against the poor woman. Under such circumstances as those Lady Mason must of course have been innocent as touching Mr. Furnival.
'Yes,' said Sophia. 'There is no doubt whatsoever that they were engaged. Sir Peregrine told Lady Staveley so himself.'
'And now it's all broken off again?'
'Oh yes; it is all broken off now. I believe the fact to be this. Lord Alston, who lives near Noningsby, is a very old friend of Sir Peregrine's. When he heard of it he went to The Cleeve—I know that for certain;—and I think he talked Sir Peregrine out of it.'
'But, my conscience, Sophia———after he had made her the offer!'
'I fancy that Mrs. Orme arranged it all. Whether Lord Alston saw her or not I don't know. My belief is that Lady Mason behaved very well all through, though they say very bitter things against her at Noningsby.'
'Poor thing!' said Mrs. Furnival, the feelings of whose heart were quite changed as regarded Lady Mason.
'I never knew a woman so badly treated.' Sophia had her own reasons for wishing to make the best of Lady Mason's case. 'And for myself I do not see why Sir Peregrine should not have married her if he pleased.'
'He is rather old, my dear.'
'People don't think so much about that now-a-days as they used. If he liked it, and she too, who had a right to say anything? My idea is that a man with any spirit would have turned Lord Alston out of the house. What business had he to interfere?'
'But about the trial, Sophia?'
'That will go on. There's no doubt about that. But they all say that it's the most unjust thing in the world, and that she must be proved innocent. I heard the judge say so myself.'
'But why are they allowed to try her then?'
'Oh, papa will tell you that.'
'I never like to bother your papa about law business.' Particu-
