“I thank you, my Lord,” replied Roland, haughtily. “I am a plain man, and am well aware that in _your_ trade truth is no match for falsehood.” He walked to the window as he spoke, and by his gesture seemed to decline further colloquy. The Chief Justice moved slowly away, followed by the others; Meek withdrawing last of all, and seeming to hesitate whether he should not say something as he went. At last he turned and said,-- “I sincerely trust, Mr. Cashel, that you will not connect me with this most painful suspicion; your own good sense will show you how common minds may be affected by a number of concurring circumstances; and how, in fact, truth may require the aid of ingenuity to reconcile and explain them.” “I am not certain that I understand your meaning, sir,” said Cashel, sternly; “but when a number of 'concurring circumstances' seemed to point out those with whom I associated as blacklegs, parasites, and calumniators, I gave them the benefit of a doubt, and believed them to be gentle-men; I almost expected they might return the favor when occasion offered.” For a second or two Meek seemed as if about to reply; but he moved noiselessly away at last and closed the door, leaving Roland alone with his own distracted thoughts. CHAPTER XXVIII. SCENE OF THE MURDER--THE CORONER'S VERDICT Are there not proofs enough? Or can the stubborn mind reject all truth And cling to fallacy? The Will. What a change did Tubbermore present to its aspect of the day before! All the emblems of joy and festivity, all the motley of pleasure, all the gay troops of guests hastening onward in glowing eagerness and anticipation, were gone; and in their stead a dreary and mysterious silence brooded over the place, interrupted at intervals by the bustle of some departure. For thus, without one word of sympathy, without even a passing good-bye, Roland's “friends” hurried away, as if flying from the very memories of the spot.