"I hope so, indeed, Ella!" he said, turning away, faint and sick at heart.
"Oh, what would she say!" he exclaimed when by himself, "if she knew the prisoner was her own brother. I cannot tell her. No; I must bear this dreadful burden of grief alone. Situated as she is, it might kill her."
On his way to the court-room he met Captain Greyson, whom we formerly knew and loved as Frank. "How strange," said he, "that the prisoner holds out so. Sometimes I am almost tempted to think I am mistaken in supposing that I once knew him."
"God grant that it may be so," replied Mr. Danforth, in a thrilling tone; and then recovering himself, added, "it seems to me tenfold worse to be the means of convicting a countryman."
"Perhaps," rejoined the officer, "if he should be found guilty, he may be more softened in view of his punishment."
After two days the criminal was remanded to his cell, condemned to be executed for wilful murder. Indeed, so overwhelming had been the testimony of his guilt, and that too of the most aggravated character, that the jury were unanimous in their opinion. How much one of them suffered during the thirty-six hours that he was retained, I must leave it to my readers to imagine. He returned to his mansion pallid, care-worn, and depressed, almost dreading to see Ella, for fear that she should read the dreadful truth in his sad countenance.
The family had been to tea when he arrived, and the poor wife was just deploring her hard fate to Mrs. Danforth when he appeared.
It seemed to him that he had never received so warm a welcome. His mother brought his slippers and dressing-gown, while Ella bustled about and passed him a cup of tea with her own hands, which was presently followed by a more substantial meal.
After he had partaken it, he was sitting with his head concealed by Harry's curls, trying to evade the inquiries of his wife, when the door was opened, and the servant announced Captain Greyson.
"I tried to overtake you as we came out of court," said the gentleman, frankly, "for I intended to impose myself upon your hospitality, but you were too quick for me. I don't wonder at it," he added, gayly casting his eye around the happy group.