"I have been grieved because you did not seem to trust me;—but let that pass now. Mother, I wish that there may be no unpleasant feeling between us when you enter on this ordeal to-morrow."
"There is none;—there shall be none."
"No one can feel more keenly,—no one can feel so keenly as I do, the cruelty with which you are treated. The sight of your sorrow has made me wretched."
"Oh, Lucius!"
"I know how pure and innocent you are—"
"No, Lucius, no."
"But I say yes; and knowing that, it has cut me to the quick to see them going about a defence of your innocence by quips and quibbles, as though they were struggling for the escape of a criminal."
"Lucius!" And she put her hands up, praying for mercy, though she could not explain to him how terribly severe were his words.
"Wait a moment, mother. To me such men as Mr. Chaffanbrass and his comrades are odious. I will not, and do not believe that their services are necessary to you—"
"But, Lucius, Mr. Furnival—"