‘Then you see now that it was a mistake?’ suggested Sir John. In cross-examinations the suggestions of Sir John Pleydell are remembered in certain courts of justice to this day.
‘Of course.’
‘To have mixed yourself in such an affair at all?’
‘Yes.’
Sir John seemed to be softening, and Conyngham began to see a way out of this difficulty which had never suggested itself to him before.
‘Such mistakes have to be paid for—and the law assesses the price.’
Conyngham shrugged his shoulders.
‘It is easy enough to say you are sorry—the law can make no allowance for regret.’
Conyngham turned his attention to his breakfast, deeming it useless to continue the topic.
‘It was a mistake to attend the meeting at Durham—you admit that?’ continued Sir John.