"She _had been_ walking rapidly," said Mr. Williams, "but when we came up she was, as she says, standing still, looking at the lace. It is also true that an old gentleman ran against her, knocked the lace out of her hand, and picked it up again. That I saw from the distance." "Mark you!" exclaimed Franklin, "how each small feature of her story is confirmed." "But you left our door," exclaimed Mr. Jennings, "at a furious pace." "That I can explain to your satisfaction," said Franklin. "We were engaged to call upon a lady, Mrs. Porter, No. ----, Portland-Place, at half past two. This Mrs. Porter herself can testify. We left your door too late, and walked rapidly to keep our appointment. You can ascertain from your clerks at what hour we left." "It was just half past two," said Mr. Williams. "I looked at the clock." "Mark!" cried Franklin, with an air of triumph. "Upon my word, Mr. Jennings," said Mr. Blanchard, "we have been too hasty--" At this moment the door opened, and another person entered. "Just in time," muttered Mr. Jennings. It was Mr. Blake, chief partner in the firm of Blake, Blanchard & Co. He was a venerable old gentleman, of an agreeable person, with a certain dignity which well became his snow-white hair, but through which, on the present occasion, appeared a settled firmness, almost a sternness, boding no good. "You have come in time," said Jennings. "Do you know what is going on here?" "I do. The facts have been related to me." "And the famous defence?" added Jennings, with one of his worst sneers, "do you know that also?" "I do. It is a clear case. There is but one course for us." "And yet," cried Jennings, "Mr. Blanchard has been thinking it will not do to send so respectable a young lady to prison. But I say you will not have a case in forty years so proper to make a wholesome example of. If you let this one go, whom can you punish? Precautions were useless, if thieves can commit their depredations under our very noses with impunity." "I am of your opinion," said Mr. Blake. "The offence is of a very aggravated description; and I deem it absolutely necessary to send the delinquent before a magistrate to be punished as she deserves." "I have explained--" said Franklin. But while he commenced once more his agonizing task, Mr. Jennings took Mr. Blake aside, and whispered to him some minutes vehemently. Franklin attempted to speak again.