Sevenoaks: A Story of TodayHolland, J. G. (Josiah Gilbert)
General
Sevenoaks: A Story of Today
Holland, J. G. (Josiah Gilbert)
Didactic fiction; Political fiction; Social problems -- Fiction
"Helen Dillingham" was next called for. At the pronunciation of her
name, and her quiet progress through the court-room to the stand, there
was a hush in which nothing was heard but the rustle of her own drapery.
Mr. Belcher gasped, and grew pale. Here was the woman whom he madly
loved. Here was the woman whom he had associated with his scheme of
European life, and around whom, more and more, as his difficulties
increased and the possibilities of disaster presented themselves, he had
grouped his hopes and gathered his plans. Had he been the dupe of her
cunning? Was he to be the object of her revenge? Was he to be betrayed?
Her intimacy with Harry Benedict began to take on new significance. Her
systematic repulses of his blind passion had an explanation other than
that which he had given them. Mr. Belcher thought rapidly while the
formalities which preceded her testimony were in progress.
Every man in the court-room leaned eagerly forward to catch her first
word. Her fine figure, graceful carriage and rich dress had made their
usual impression.
"Mrs. Dillingham," said the Judge, with a courteous bow and gesture,
"will you have the kindness to remove your veil?"
The veil was quietly raised over her hat, and she stood revealed. She
was not pale; she was fresh from the woods, and in the glory of renewed
health. A murmur of admiration went around the room like the stirring of
leaves before a vagrant breeze.
"Mrs. Dillingham," said Mr. Balfour, "where do you reside?"
"In this city, sir."
"Have you always lived here?"
"Always."
"Do you know Paul Benedict?"
"I do, sir."
"How long have you known him?"
"From the time I was born until he left New York, after his marriage."
"What is his relation to you?"
"He is my brother, sir."
Up to this answer, she had spoken quietly, and in a voice that could
only be heard through the room by the closest attention; but the last
answer was given in a full, emphatic tone.
Mr. Belcher entirely lost his self-possession. His face grew white, his
eyes were wild, and raising his clenched fist he brought it down with a
powerful blow upon the table before him, and exclaimed: "My God!"
The court-room became in an instant as silent as death. The Judge
uttered no reprimand, but looked inquiringly, and with unfeigned
astonishment, at the defendant.
Mr. Cavendish rose and begged the Court to overlook his client's
excitement, as he had evidently been taken off his guard.
"Paul Benedict is your brother, you say?" resumed Mr. Balfour.
"He is, sir."
"What was his employment before he left New York?"
"He was an inventor from his childhood, and received a careful education
in accordance with his mechanical genius."
"Why did he leave New York?"
"I am ashamed to say that he left in consequence of my own unkindness."
"What was the occasion of your unkindness?"
"His marriage with one whom I did not regard as his own social equal or
mine."
"What was her name?"
"Jane Kendrick."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account