And with this, she went into a passion of grief and remorse.
Even Sir George was puzzled, as well as affected, by her convulsive agitation.
[CHAPTER VII]
Though it was known the proposed inquiry might result in the committal of Mrs. Gaunt on a charge of murder, yet the respect in which she had hitherto been held, and the influence of Sir George Neville, who having been her lover, stoutly maintained her innocence, prevailed so far, that even this inquiry was private, and at her own house. Only she was present in the character of a suspected person, and the witnesses were examined before her.
First, the poacher gave his evidence.
Then, Jane the cook proved, that a pedlar called Thomas Leicester had been in the kitchen, and secreted about the premises till a late hour; and this Thomas Leicester corresponded exactly to the description given by the poacher.
This threw suspicion on Thomas Leicester, but did not connect Mrs. Gaunt with the deed in any way.
But Ryder's evidence filled this gap. She revealed three serious facts:—
First, that, by her mistress's orders, she had introduced this very Leicester into her mistress's room about midnight, where he had remained nearly half an hour, and had then left the house.