‘For goodness’ sake, Philippa, don’t!’ I whispered.
The clerk turned to William Evans, the prisoner at the Bar.
‘Are you guilty, or not guilty?’
In the silence a cigarette-ash might have been heard to drop, if any one had been smoking.
The long silence was broken, but not by the prisoner.
By Philippa!
Rising to all her stately height, with her flowing robes around her, she stood at bay. Then her clear deep voice rang out:—
‘My lord, I was the party that did it!’
‘Order in the court! order in the court!’ cried the ushers.
‘I commit you! I commit you!’ thundered Lord Justice Juggins. ‘Take her away. Five years and hard labour.’