When the jury had retired, the murmurs rose higher and higher, and the excited discussion of the probable verdict, although repressed a little by the presence of Nell, who sat like a statue by Miss Bostal’s side, had grown into a loud roar long before the jury returned into court.
When they took their seats, the roar of the crowd had suddenly given place to a hush, in which the voice of the coroner asking if they had agreed upon a verdict was distinctly heard.
In a few minutes the news had spread from the court to the crowd in the market-place outside, that the verdict was: “Willful murder by some person or persons unknown.”
CHAPTER XVI.
When Miss Bostal, at the end of the proceedings, turned to Nell and told her to get up and come home, she found that the girl had fainted.
George Claris, who had not been near his niece during the inquest, but had stood in a corner by himself with folded arms watching the proceedings with a heavy frown, came forward sullenly at Miss Bostal’s imperious gesture.
“Look, look, Mr. Claris, don’t you see the poor child has fainted?” cried she, astonished at his apathy.
“Yes, I see,” replied he, shortly, with a cool nod.
“Poor little thing! The horror has been too much for her! Poor little thing!” went on the lady, as she quickly unfastened Nell’s cloak and loosened the front of her gown. “A glass of water, some one, please. And don’t crowd round her; let her have all the air we can.”
When the girl came to herself, as she did in a very few minutes, thanks to the ministrations of Miss Bostal, she was led away to the dog-cart, which was waiting outside.