“I ask your permission to speak a few words to Mrs. Bradstone,” he said.
Olivia rose, inwardly trembling, but outwardly calm.
“I have just seen Lord Clydesfold, madam,” he said, “and he has asked me to be the bearer of a message to you.”
Olivia’s lips moved.
“He has asked me to beg you to leave the court and avoid this, which must be a most painful scene.”
“He asked you that?” said Olivia. “He wishes me to go?”
“Yes, madam; he does most earnestly.”
“Will you tell him,” said Olivia, “that I will do anything he asks me but that? I cannot go.”
Mr. Edgar bowed respectfully and went toward his place, an expression of keen, earnest thought on his face.
There was a buzz of the most profound interest and curiosity when, pale and haggard, but still calm, and with a kind of weary indifference, the prisoner was led into the dock.