As on preceding days, before leaving her lodgings, for the court, Lady Montressor prayed long and earnestly. And then deeply vailed, and leaning on the arm of the venerable pastor, she came out, to enter the carriage. The populace, who had at last discovered her lodgings and identified her carriage, were now gathered in a dense crowd before the hotel, waiting to see this interesting prisoner. Short as was the distance from the portico to the coach, and deeply vailed as was the lady, she shuddered in passing through this crowd, whose gaze she could not see, but keenly, deeply, _felt_ fixed upon her form. Mr. Oldfield quickly and nervously handed her into the coach, followed her, took his seat, put up the blinds and let down the curtains; and having thus carefully closed up the carriage, gave orders to the coachman to drive on. They drove perforce slowly through the crowded streets that became more thronged, at every square, as they approached the court-house. When at last the coach drew up before the Hall, Mr. Oldfield alighted, and in the same quick, nervous manner, handed her out, and attempted to hurry her through the crowd that thronged around, and into the court-house, and choked up its portico, entrance hall, and staircase. Estelle looked wildly around upon this vast and curious multitude. Among the carriages that blocked up the street before the building, she recognized the liveries of many of her former friends, and in the crowd that thronged into the court-house, she identified many of the guests who had been bidden to that wedding breakfast to which she had never returned. Since that fatal day to this—perhaps more fatal one—she had not seen or heard from one of them! Why came they now?—to gloat over her calamities? Who could tell? None but the Searcher of hearts; but their presence here made _her_ heart sink; true, it was a trifle added to the great sum of her misery; but it was only an added feather that is said to have broken the camel’s back. These thoughts had scarcely passed through her mind, when she saw Lord Montressor emerge from the crowd on the portico and come down the steps to join her. “A few hours more of fortitude, dear Stella, and you will be free!” he said, as he drew her hand within his arm. He then bowed to Mr. Oldfield, and called a police-officer, whom he directed to precede and clear a way for them through the crowd. And then with his fine head erect and uncovered, and with a mien as self-possessed and dignified as that with which he had a month ago led his bride into the church, he now led her through the crowded portico and passage-way, and up the staircase into the court. CHAPTER VI. THE ARRAIGNMENT. “She stood before the crowded court, Forlorn—but oh! how fair! Though many a beauty graced the hall, To me, the loveliest there.