"Any news yet about that poor thing in Castle Rushen?"
"Yes, there's something here."
"Of course she's pardoned?"
"On the contrary, her death-sentence has been confirmed."
"Confirmed?"
"Yes, she's to die, and it only remains for me to fix the date of the execution."
The sun went out as before a thunderstorm, and, rising from her unfinished breakfast, Fenella fled from the room. A great wave of pity seemed to sweep down every other feeling. She determined to go to Castle Rushen again and break the news tenderly to the unhappy woman.
On her way to the railway station her mind swung back to Stowell. After all he could have done nothing to save the girl's life. It was inconceivable that the authorities in London could have been indifferent to the opinion of the Judge who had tried the case.
"No, he can have done nothing—nothing whatever."
Then came a shock to her also.