"Miss Angel, I can only hint at my sense of shame; at my consciousness of my own deficiencies; and can only reiterate my sincere hope that the consequences of your loss may still be less serious than you suppose."
"I imagine that nothing worse than my ruin will result."
"I will do my best to guard against that."
"You!--what can you do--now?"
"I am at least a juryman."
"A juryman?"
"I am one of the jury which is trying the case."
"You!" Her eyes opened wider. "Of course! I thought I had seen you somewhere before today! That's where it was! How stupid I am! Is it possible?" Exactly what she meant by her disjointed remarks was not clear. He did not suspect her of an intention to flatter. "And you propose to influence your colleagues to give a decision in my favour?"
"You may smile, but since unanimity is necessary I can, at any rate, make sure that it is not given against you."
"I see. Your idea is original. And perhaps a little daring. But before we repose our trust on such an eventuality I should like to do something. First of all, I should like to interview your sister."