Radically bad as the man was there were a few persons among the spectators who pitied him and thought him hardly dealt by.
This is invariably the case. No matter how great the criminal, or how many heinous offences he may have been guilty of, misplaced sympathy is sure to follow his sentence.
Lady Marvlynn and Sir J. Battershall were greatly moved when the sentence was passed upon the prisoner.
Her ladyship, from her own personal experience, knew the brutal nature of the man. Nevertheless, she was much affected at the issue of the proceedings.
“Miserable wretch!” she ejaculated. “I should have thought six, or ten years at the most, would have sufficed in a case of this sort, but of course Mr. Justice Hawkins is, I suppose, the best judge.”
“I don’t think it would be possible to find a better,” returned her companion. “I confess I cannot myself see any palliation, any reasonable excuse, for the crime of which he has been found guilty upon the clearest evidence.”
“No, I suppose there is none,” returned Lady Marvlynn; “but still penal servitude for life! Why it is almost worse than death.”
“If Robinson had succumbed to his injuries there would have been but one course left—his murderer would have to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. You do not duly consider the matter, my lady.”
“I hope I do. But the Lady Aveline, this will be sad news for her.”
“Sad!” exclaimed the baronet. “I do not see how that can be.”