He ignored, you see, her own complete explanation of that circumstance.
“And when Hicks and Nelthorp came, did she not discourse with them about the battle and the army?” (As if that were not at the time a common topic of discussion.) “Come, come, gentlemen,” he said, with amazing impudence, “it is plain proof.”
But Mr. Whistler was not yet satisfied.
“We do not remember, my lord, that it was proved that she asked any such question.”
That put him in a passion.
“Sure,” he bellowed, “you do not remember anything that has passed. Did not Dunne tell you there was such a discourse, and she was by? But if there were no such proof, the circumstances and management of the thing are as full proof as can be. I wonder what it is you doubt of!”
Mrs. Lisle had risen. There was a faint flush of excitement on her grey old face.
“My lord, I hope—” she began, in trembling tones, to get no further.
“You must not speak now!” thundered her terrible judge; and thus struck her silent.
The brief resistance to his formidable will was soon at an end. Within a quarter of an hour the jury announced their verdict. They found her guilty.