As this announcement was made, evidently with reluctance, by the girl, over whose ordinarily colourless countenance a flush rose as she spoke, all eyes were turned towards Kate Lawless, who was sitting upon a bench reserved for witnesses, and afterwards in the direction of Ned. The latter celebrity smiled faintly, as if the higher education thus implied was comparatively unimportant. But on his sister the effect of the disclosure was widely different.
She turned her face quickly, and, as she did so, her eyes sparkled and her set lips expressed—if not anger, malice, and all uncharitableness—at least a far from benevolent intention towards the speaker. Making as if to rise, but repressing herself with a strong effort, she assumed a scornful attitude, as if prepared to listen with resignation.
'Do you remember any conversation with reference to the horse?'
'Yes; Mr. Trevanion asked where Henry Jones lived, and whether he had any more horses of the same breed. Ned answered that he lived at Monaro, and that he would have some more to sell when he bought his next draught from him.'
'You believe, then, that Trevanion had no idea that the horse was stolen?'
'No more than you had. He said over and over again that he must get another or two from Jones.'
'Now, Miss Lawless, you need not answer this question unless you like. Did you know that the horse was stolen?'
'No, I did not, or I would have warned Mr. Trevanion. I may have doubted whether everything was quite square about him; but I never thought for a moment that he was stolen.'
'May I ask you, also, what reason you were likely to have for warning Mr. Trevanion?'
'Merely that I had a friendly feeling for him, and did not wish to see him taken in.'