And so they sat there in the evening whilst Mr. Bales related to them the story which we have already told in the previous chapters, and they all pitied poor Dibble. When “Thomas” was in his cell, he insisted upon telling Mr. Bales how he came to commit so great a crime. The reproaches of his wife had rung in his ears night and day. It had seemed as if the devil had told him to touch that roll of notes; and when he felt his hand upon the money, he could not help taking it. Crying like a child, and sitting on the edge of the little prison bedstead, Dibble said he had never known before what that beautiful prayer meant, in which we asked our Father to lead us not into temptation. Whereupon the Countess told Earl Verner what she knew of Mrs. Dibble, and hoped that something might be done for both of them. Mr. Bales said Mrs. Dibble’s money had been all lost in one way or another during the panic, and this had led to all their misfortunes. “Have you written to her, Mr. Bales?” the Countess asked. “I have not, your ladyship. The prisoner was most anxious that I should not do so: it would kill her, he said.” “What can we do, my lord, for these poor people?” asked the Countess, earnestly. “Is there no means of obtaining the man’s release?” “I fear not,” said the Earl. “Who is the prosecutor, Mr. Bales?” “The bank, I think, your lordship. It is a question whether the money belonged to the bank or to Mr. Flooks. The bank repudiated all responsibility at the outset.” “Oh, but surely they could be induced to withdraw from the affair, or make it up in some way, seeing that the money is restored?” said the Countess. “There is a serious offence, my love, called compounding a felony, which might be an obstruction to your wishes,” said his lordship. “My friend, Lord Tufton, is chairman of Quarter Sessions, I must talk to him upon the subject to-morrow; he can advise us best.” “Meanwhile, however, we can do something for this woman Dibble. She was very kind to Lieutenant Somerton,” said the Countess; “we must take care of her.” “I go to town in the morning,” said Bales. “I shall be happy to be your messenger to her.” “By what train, Mr. Bales, do you leave?” her ladyship asked. “At ten o’clock, your ladyship.” “That means half-past nine from Montem?” “It does, my lady,” said Bales. “I will see you before you go, if you please, at nine in the morning,” said the Countess. “So early!” exclaimed the Earl. The Countess smiled and nodded assent. “One cannot rise too early to help a poor creature in trouble, Mr. Phillips,” said the Countess, aside; adding, “and now, Phœbe, I think we may retire.”