Up to this period I could at any rate
defend myself, whether my defence were believed or not believed. I
still had a hope that the charming Julia might have escaped through
the window, and a feeling that if she had done so I was not
responsible. When I turned the lock I turned it on Smith.
For a moment I hesitated, and then walked slowly across the yard and
opened the door. "Sir William," I said, as I did so, "I travelled
here with a companion dressed as a man; and I believed him to be
what he seemed till this minute."
"Sir!" said Sir William, with a look of scorn in his face which gave
me the lie in my teeth as plainly as any words could do. And then
he entered the room. The Pole was standing in one corner,
apparently amazed at what was going on, and Smith,--I may as well
call her Miss Weston at once, for the baronet's statement was true,-
-was sitting on a sort of divan in the corner of the chamber hiding
her face in her hands. She had made no attempt at an escape, and a
full explanation was therefore indispensable. For myself I own that
I felt ashamed of my part in the play,--ashamed even of my own
innocency.
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