The clerk immediately filled out the commitment of Eudora Leaton, and placed it in the hands of detective Sims, with the order to take away his prisoner at once.
At this command a wild affright blanched the face of Eudora, who, in her utter ignorance of the magistrates’ prerogative, clasped her hands, and raised her dilated eyes, in an agony of supplication, saying:
“Oh, sirs, I am innocent! God knows I am! Have pity on me!”
“My child,” said the kind-hearted Squire Upton, who more than half-doubted her imputed guilt, “this is not final, you know. He pronounced no judgment upon your guilt or innocence, we only send you to take your trial before a higher court, where you may be fully acquitted. Meanwhile, no doubt your friends will procure you counsel from the highest legal talent in the kingdom, and this talent will devote itself to the task of clearing away these circumstances that appear against you; and if you are really innocent, as I hope that you are, take faith and patience to your heart, and pray and trust to God for their success and your deliverance.”
Eudora listened to these words with eager, breathless interest; but, oh, they afforded her but little hope. She bowed in silent acknowledgment of the magistrates’ kindness, and turned in resigned despair towards her custodians.
Malcolm Montrose, with anguish stamped like death upon his brow, came forward, and, in a choking voice, said:
“Gentlemen, if any amount of bail would suffice to set her at liberty—”
“Mr. Montrose, the Queen of England could not bail out a prisoner charged with the crime of which she stands committed,” said Sir Ira Brunton, sternly.
Ah! Malcolm knew this as well as the magistrates did; he had only spoken in the transient madness of grief and desperation. Now he turned to the prisoner, and said:
“Eudora, throw yourself upon the mercy of heaven, since there is so little left on earth. Oh, pray to God as I shall pray for you, and try to bear up under this heaviest affliction through these darkest of days. I will leave for London to-night, and retain the best counsel that can be procured. I will bring them to you to-morrow. Oh, try to endure your life until then.”