"He told me that."
"And then I spoke to Mr. Furnival, and he told me that I should be blamed by all the world if I were to marry him. I cannot tell you all he said, but he said this: that if—if—"
"If what, dear?"
"If in the court they should say—"
"Say what?"
"Say that I did this thing,—then Sir Peregrine would be crushed, and would die with a broken heart."
"But they cannot say that;—it is impossible. You do not think it possible that they can do so?" And then again she took hold of Lady Mason's arm, and looked up anxiously, into her face. She looked up anxiously, not suspecting anything, not for a moment presuming it possible that such a verdict could be justly given, but in order that she might see how far the fear of a fate so horrible was operating on her friend. Lady Mason's face was pale and woe-worn, but not more so than was now customary with her.
"One cannot say what may be possible," she answered slowly. "I suppose they would not go on with it if they did not think they had some chance of success."
"You mean as to the property?"
"Yes; as to the property."