One is my true and honorable wife,
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops
That visit my sad heart.
—Shakespeare.
In due time they reached the village and were driven at once to the office of the magistrate, Squire Estep, of Spring Hill Manor.
No rumor of the arrest had got abroad, and no crowd was collected about the office doors.
The sheriff alighted first, and was followed out by the accused and his two friends.
They entered the office, where just then no one was present except the magistrate, one clerk and two constables.
The three gentlemen bowed as they entered, and the venerable magistrate arose and acknowledged their presence by a nod and sat down again.
The sheriff laid the warrant on the table before the magistrate and, pointing to Mr. Alden Lytton, said:
"That is the prisoner, your worship."
One of the constables placed chairs, and the gentlemen seated themselves and waited.