"But if there be any doubt," said Agnes, looking at the coroner, "Mr. Hatfield is here; he will make the needful examination."
"That is a question for the jury to decide," answered the coroner, with a smile. "Let them retire, and give us their verdict."
A few minutes was all these honest men required before announcing that death was due to natural causes; and then the coroner turned upon Farry and with a most scathing reproof dismissed him, warning him that he had brought himself perilously near a charge of perjury, had Agnes been a vindictive foe.
Then when the man had slunk out like a beaten hound, he took Agnes's hands in his, and said:
"You have been a courageous girl, my dear, in withstanding the artifices of that wicked man. Hardly another maid so young and unprotected but would have been intimidated into accepting his condition. What made you so brave to withstand him?"
"I do not think I was brave," answered Agnes; "but I knew I should be helped."
The old man smiled and patted her head.
"Perhaps that is the best kind of courage after all."
