England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction; English fiction -- 19th century
The week went by, and Ida again appeared in court. Mr. Woodstock went
with Waymark, out of curiosity, he said. The statement of the case
against the prisoner sounded very grave. What Harriet had said about
the discovery of the pawn-ticket for her silver spoon was true. Ida's
face was calm, but paler yet and thinner. When she caught sight of
Harriet Casti, she turned her eyes away quickly, and with a look of
trouble. She desired to ask no question, simply gave her low and
distinct "Not guilty." She was committed for trial.
Waymark watched Mr. Woodstock, who was examining Ida all the time; he
felt sure that he heard something like a catching of the breath when
the girl's face first became visible.
"And what's your opinion?" asked Waymark.
"I couldn't see the girl very well," said the old man coldly.
"She hasn't quite a fortnight to wait."
"No."
"You're sure Helter will do all that can be done?"
"Yes."
Mr. Woodstock nodded his head, and walked off by himself.
Julian Casti was ill. With difficulty he had dragged himself to the
court, and his sufferings as he sat there were horribly evident on his
white face. Waymark met him just as Mr. Woodstock walked off; and the
two went home together by omnibus, not speaking on the way.
"She will be convicted," was Julian's first utterance, when he had sat
for a few minutes in Waymark's room, whilst Waymark himself paced up
and down. The latter turned, and saw that tears were on his friend's
hollow cheeks.
"Did you sleep better last night?" he asked.
"Good God, no! I never closed my eyes. That's the third night without
rest. Waymark, get me an opiate of some kind, or I shall kill myself;
and let me sleep here."
"What will your wife say?"
"What do I care what she says!" cried Julian, with sudden excitement,
his muscles quivering, and his cheeks flaming all at once. "Don't use
that word 'wife,' it is profanation; I can't bear it! If I see her
to-night, I can't answer for what I may do. Curse her to all eternity!"
He sank beck in exhaustion.
"Julian," said Waymark, using his friend's first name by exception, "if
this goes on, you will be ill. What the deuce shall we do then?"
"No, I shall not be ill. It will be all right if I can get sleep."
He was silent for a little, then spoke, with his eyes on the ground.
"Waymark, is this true they say about her--about the former time?"
"Yes; it is true."
Waymark in turn was silent.
"I suppose," he continued presently, "I owe you an apology."
"None. It was right of you to act as you did."
He was going to say something else, but checked himself. Waymark
noticed this, watched his face for a moment, and spoke with some
earnestness.
"But it was in that only I misled you. Do you believe me when I repeat
that she and I were never anything but friends!"
Julian looked up with a gleam of gratitude in his eyes.
"Yes, I believe you!"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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