“The plain fact, my lord, is, that instead of three months, I was but three days in the dangerous state of proximity with the Spanish lady. But had it been three months, or three years, there is my defence, my lord,” said Captain Walsingham, bowing to Amelia. “At the first _blush_, you allow it, I see, to be powerful; but how powerful, you cannot feel as I do, without having looked, as I have done, into the mind.” “I have looked into the mind as well as you, sir. You have a great deal of assurance, to tell me I cannot feel and judge as well as you can. But, nevertheless, I shall do you justice. I think your defence is sufficient. I believe we must acquit him. But, pray--the plain matter of fact, which I wanted to hear, I have not yet got at. What have you done with this lady? and where is she?” “She was carried safely to her friends--to her friend, for she has but one friend, that I could find out, an old aunt, who lives in an obscure lodging, in a narrow street, in London.” “And, upon honour, this is all you know about her?” said Mrs. Beaumont. “All--except that she is in hopes of recovering some property, of which she says she has been unjustly defrauded by some of her relations. After I had paid my respects at the Admiralty, I made it my business to see the lady, and to offer my services; but into her lawsuits, I thank God, it was not my business to inquire, I recommended to her a good honest lawyer, and came here as fast as horses could carry me.” “But was not there some giving of diamonds, and exchanging of rings, one day, upon deck?” said Mrs. Beaumont. “None,” said Captain Walsingham; “that was a mere fable of poor Birch’s imagination. I recollect the lady showed me a Spanish motto upon her ring; that is all I can remember about rings.--She had no diamonds, and very few clothes. Now,” cried Captain Walsingham, growing a little impatient of the length of his trial, for he had not yet been able to speak for more than an instant to Amelia, “now, I hope, my trial is ended; else its length will be, as in some other cases, the worst of punishments.” “Acquitted! acquitted! honourably acquitted!” said Mr. Palmer. “Acquitted, acquitted, honourably acquitted by general acclamation,” cried Mr. Beaumont. “Acquitted by a smile from Amelia, worth all our acclamations,” said Mrs. Beaumont. “Captain Walsingham,” said Miss Hunter, “did the lady come to England and go to London in a Spanish dress and long waist?” She spoke, but Captain Walsingham did not hear her important question. She turned to repeat it, but the captain was gone, and Amelia with him. “Bless me! how quick! how odd!” said Miss Hunter, with a pouting look, which seemed to add--nobody carries me off! Mr. Beaumont looked duller than was becoming. Mrs. Beaumont applied herself to adjust the pretty curls of Miss Hunter’s hair; and Mr. Palmer, in one of his absent fits, hummed aloud, as he walked up and down the room,