It mattered not
which."
"And she has lied for him--has sworn to a lie--and that to her own
dishonour!" cried Sir John, beside himself; whereupon he was sternly bidden
to keep silence.
There was no intention that this little Buckinghamshire gentleman should
be indulged, to the injury of a person of Lord Fareham's wealth and
consequence. The favour of the Bench obviously leant towards the defendant.
Fareham's deep tones startled the audience.
"In truth, your Honour, the young lady has belied herself in order to help
me," he said. "I cannot accept acquittal at the cost of her good name."
"Your lordship has pleaded not guilty."
"And his lordship's chivalry would revoke that plea," cried the Counsel;
"this is most irregular. I must beg that the Bench do order the defendant
to keep silence. The witness can stand down."
Angela descended from the witness-box falteringly, and would perhaps have
fallen but for her father's strong grasp, which clutched her arm as she
reached the last step.
He dragged her out of the close-packed court, and into the open Hall.
"Wanton!" he hissed in her ear, "shameless wanton!"
She answered nothing; but stood where he held her, with wild eyes looking
out of a white, rigid countenance.
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