The cruelty of detaining him was evident.
'Yes, if you must,' Nesta said. 'But, dear Skepsey, will it be the magistrate again to-morrow?'
He feared it would be; he fancied it would needs be. He concluded by stating, that he was bound to appear before the magistrate in the morning; and he begged assistance to keep it from the knowledge of the Miss Duvidneys, who had been so kind to him.
'Has there been bailing of you again, Skepsey?'
'A good gentleman, a resident,' he replied; 'a military gentleman; indeed, a colonel of the cavalry; but, it may so be, retired; and anxious about our vast possessions; though he thinks a translation of a French attack on England unimportant. He says, the Germans despise us most.'
'Then this gentleman thinks you have a good case?'
'He is a friend of Captain Dartrey's.'
Hearing that name, Nesta said: 'Now, Skepsey, you must tell me everything. You are not to mind your looks. I believe, I do always believe you mean well.'
'Miss Nesta, it depends upon the magistrate's not being prejudiced against the street-processionists!
'But you may expect justice from the magistrate, if your case is good?'