Alicia turned to look out of the window. Her face still averted she said:
"What is there to do? Howard has acknowledged his guilt—any sacrifices we may make will be thrown away."
Annie eyed her companion with contempt. Her voice quivering with indignation, she burst out:
"What is there to do! Try and save him, of course. Must we sit and do nothing because things look black? Ah! I wasn't brought up that way. No, ma'am, I'm going to make a fight!"
"It's useless," murmured Alicia, shaking her head.
"Judge Brewster doesn't think so," replied the other calmly.
The banker's wife gave a start of surprise. Quickly she demanded:
"You mean that Judge Brewster has encouraged you to—to——"
"He's done more than encourage me—God bless him!—he's going to take up the case."
Alicia was so thunderstruck that for a moment she could find no answer.