"Just take a glass of port—you will find it excellent, Mr. Lennox; you too, sir, will you not join us?"
"No, I thank you," said Mr. Ravensworth, burying his face in his hands. Mr. Lennox, however, accepted the offer, and then detailed the whole case to the Sheriff, as Mr. Ravensworth from his emotions was totally unable to speak. During the recital the unhappy father sobbed aloud.
"This is the most melancholy event I ever remember," said the Sheriff, wiping his glasses; "to think of one so young—so beautiful as you say—and yet so depraved!"
"Oh! judge not from appearances!" cried the wretched parent; "she is innocent as a babe unborn!"
"I regret I cannot see things in the same light; there is every appearance of guilt, though I cannot detect the motive. But you said your children were present—where are they?"
"We left them in the carriage."
"I must see them," said Sheriff Murray.
When he had questioned and cross-questioned both Johnny and Maude, he said:
"All we can do to-night is to drive to the prison and see this unhappy young lady has every comfort her rank and condition justify—she is guiltless yet in law."
When the Sheriff and his companions reached the prison, they were much surprised to find no such lady as Ellen Ravensworth had ever been brought there, nor had any notice been given them of the murder of L'Estrange.