Jacquelina, stunned with the too sudden joy, swooned in the arms of Cloudy, who, between surprise and delight, had nearly lost his own senses.
The people pressed around Marian, with exclamations and inquiries.
The marshal forgot to be disorderly with vociferations of "Order!" and stood among the rest, agape for news.
Marian recovered her voice and spoke:
"I am not here to give any information; what explanation I have to make is due first of all to Mr. Willcoxen, who has the right to claim it of me when he pleases," and turning around she moved toward the dock, raising her eyes to Thurston's face, and offering her hand.
How he met that look—how he clasped that hand—need not be said—their hearts were too full for speech.
The tumult in the court-room was at length subdued by the rising of the judge to make a speech—a very brief one:
"Mr. Willcoxen is discharged, and the court adjourned," and then the judge came down from his seat, and the officers cried, "make way for the court to pass." And the way was made. The judge came up to the group, and shook hands first with Mr. Willcoxen, whom he earnestly congratulated, and then with Marian, who was an old and esteemed acquaintance, and so bowing gravely, he passed out.
Still the crowd pressed on, and among them came Commodore Waugh and his family, for whom way was immediately made.
Mrs. Waugh wept and smiled, and exclaimed: "Oh! Hebe! Oh! Lapwing!"