The general impression which prevailed amongst the auditory was unfavourable to the prisoner.
Richard Markham trembled for her: still his confidence in her innocence was unshaken.
But time wore on: the case was drawing to a close;—and not a sign of Morris Benstead!
Markham knew not what to think.
The manner in which Reginald Tracy gave his evidence was the subject of much comment in the gallery.
"What an amiable man he appears to be!" said one.
"How he endeavoured to create an impression in favour of the prisoner," observed another.
"He said that he was loath to believe her guilty," remarked a third, "and considered her to be an exemplary young person."
"Hush! hush!" said the first speaker: "the case is about to be resumed."
This was the fact. The Judges, having retired for a few minutes, had now returned to the bench.