Dr. Bilks had by this time recovered his self-possession and his bodily strength. His seat in the court-room was near that of the government attorney, and he was observed to be working his chair nearer and nearer to the questioner. The doctor was nervous and uneasy. He realized the awkwardness of his situation--to use the mildest term applicable to it, and those who observed the movements he made concluded that he had some suggestions to offer. When the attorney for the government put the last question, Dr. Bilks, who was leaning over the table with a pen in his hand, wrote a few lines on a sheet of paper. After the disagreeable impression he had produced by his evident prevarication on the stand, it would be quite natural for him to attempt to do something to redeem himself. It was supposed that he was now engaged in this work. The government attorney was in a confused state of mind, and was now feeling his way. There was something covered up--something he could not understand; and when he saw Dr. Bilks working towards him, he expected some hint or suggestion which would enable him to find the truth. “For two reasons, Mr. Birch. Name them, if you please.” “I desired the marriage, first, for the lady’s sake. Her position was at least a doubtful one; I desired to heal her wounds.” “Very praiseworthy, no doubt, Mr. Birch. What was the other reason?” “I was afraid Mr. Hungerford would marry her himself,” replied Dick, desperately, for it required no little effort for him to say this in open court. “Then Mr. Hungerford had been attached to this lady before her supposed marriage with the deceased?” “He had been.” “Why did you suppose he would marry her, after her connection with Buckstone?” “Because his interest in her remains undiminished.” “Did Mr. Hungerford ever mention such an intention in his letters to you from Europe, or in conversation?” “He did not.” “Did you think you had good reasons for believing Mr. Hungerford would take such a step?” “I felt satisfied that he would, from my knowledge of the man, and of his state of feeling, if the lady’s marriage with Buckstone was illegal, or if the union could not be legally established.” “Did you tell him so?” “I did not.” “You were his confidential friend and adviser--were you not?” “I was.” “And you did not speak to him of a matter so important?” “I did not; I intended to do so at a proper time. He reached home from Europe only a few hours before the murder.” “But you deemed it your duty to prevent the marriage of Mr. Hungerford with the prisoner’s sister, if such a marriage should prove to be possible?” “I did; I proposed the plan to Mr. Hungerford at once.” “Did you state to him both of your reasons for doing so?” “I did not. I did not deem it advisable to do so at that time.” “Mr. Hungerford assented to your plan?” “He did.” “Would he, in your opinion, have assented, if your fears that he would marry the lady himself were well grounded?”