determined to talk of other things; but it was in vain. While the servants were in the room nothing was said. The meat was carved and the plates were handed round, and young Orme ate his dinner; but there was a constraint upon them both which they were quite unable to dispel, and at last they gave it up and sat in silence till they were alone.
When the door was closed, and they were opposite to each other over the fire, in the way which was their custom when they two only were there, Sir Peregrine could restrain his desire no longer. It must be that his grandson, who had heard all that had passed in court that day, should have formed some opinion of what was going on,—should have some idea as to the chance of that battle which was being fought. He, Sir Peregrine, could not have gone into the court himself. It would have been impossible for him to show himself there. But there had been his heart all the day. How had it gone with that woman whom a few weeks ago he had loved so well that he had regarded her as his wife?
'Was your mother very tired?' he said, again endeavouring to draw near the subject.
'She did looked fagged while sitting in court.'
'It was a dreadful task for her,—very dreadful.'
'Nothing could have turned her from it,' said Peregrine.
'No,—you are right there. Nothing would have turned her from it. She thought it to be her duty to that poor lady. But she—Lady Mason—she bore it better, you say?'
'I think she bears it very well,—considering what her position is.'
'Yes, yes. It is very dreadful. The solicitor-general when he opened,—was he very severe upon her?'
'I do not think he wished to be severe.'
'But he made it very strong against her.'
'The story, as he told it, was very strong against her;—that is, you know, it would be if we were to believe all that he stated.'
'Yes, yes, of course. He only stated what he has been told by others. You could not see how the jury took it?'
'I did not look at them. I was thinking more of her and of Lucius.'
'Lucius was there?'
'Yes; he sat next to her. And Sir Richard said, while he was telling the story, that he wished her son were not there to hear it. Upon my word, sir, I almost wished so too.'
'Poor fellow,—poor fellow! It would have been better for him to stay away.'
'And yet had it been my mother———'
'Your mother, Perry! It could not have been your mother. She could not have been so placed.'
'If it be Lady Mason's misfortune, and not her fault———'
