“Ah, I know she will be sorry to hear of his untimely fate.”
“Really, Lady Marvlynn, you surprise me. I have yet to learn that my wife has any sympathy for ruffians of this type.”
“I don’t say she has sympathy, but she possesses the inestimable quality of mercy—which blesses him that gives, and him that takes—and she has a feeling heart. That you know.”
“Oh, most certainly. No man knows it better. Still I cannot for the life of me understand why you and Aveline are so wrapped up in this man.”
“You will not be surprised when you know all.”
The baronet made no further remark, but seemed lost in a reverie.
Peace, who was completely overcome, had to be carried out of court.
Mr. Justice Hawkins then directed the prosecutor, Robinson, to stand forward, and, addressing him, said: The jury have expressed their admiration at the bravery you have displayed in this matter, and have also expressed a wish that you should receive some reward. In the first place, I hand to you the paper on which the jury have expressed their opinion of your conduct, in order that you may keep it and refer to it in after life, and that it may be an incentive to future good conduct. I quite concur in the opinion of the jury with regard to the manner in which you have acted on this occasion, and I think the country ought to be proud of you and of the force to which you belong, and I have great pleasure in ordering you a reward of £25 for your gallant conduct.
The prosecutor thanked his lordship, and the proceedings then terminated.
When Peace returned to Newgate after his sentence he immediately came under another class, and his real imprisonment began.