“Indeed, Miss,” Etruria continued, carried away by the subject, “there was one told me that when he stood up to speak she could see his hand shake, and his face was the color of a piece of paper. But when they began to boo and shout at him, he grew as cool as cool, and the longer they shouted the braver he was, until they saw that if they let him go on he would be getting a hearing! So they put out the lights and stormed the platform, and there was a fine Stafford row, I’m told. Of course,” Etruria added simply, “the drink was in them.”
Mary hardly knew what her feelings were. “Mr. Basset?” she said at last. “I can hardly believe it.”
“Nor could I, Miss, when I first heard it. But it seems they have known it there for ten days and more, and the town is agog with it, everybody taking sides, and some so much against him as never was. It’s dreadful to think,” Etruria continued, “how misguided men can be. But oh, Miss, I’m thankful he’s on the right side, and for taking the burden off the bread! I’m sure it will be returned to him, win or lose. They’re farmers’ friends here, and they’re saying shameful things of him in the market! But there’s many a woman will bless him, and the lanes and alleys, they’ve no votes, but they’ll pray for him! Sometimes,” Etruria added shyly, “I think it is Mr. Colet has brought him to it.”
“Mr. Colet?” Mary repeated—she did not know why she disliked the notion. “Why do you think that?”
“He’s been at Blore,” Etruria murmured. “Mr. Basset has been so good to him.”
“Mr. Basset has a mind of his own,” Mary answered sharply. “He is quite capable of forming his own opinion.”
“Of course. Miss,” Etruria said, abashed. “I should have known that.”
“Yes,” Mary repeated. “But what was it they were saying of Mr. Basset in the market, Etruria? Not that it matters.”
“Well, Miss,” Etruria explained, reluctantly. “They were saying it was some grudge Mr. Basset or the Master had against his lordship that brought Mr. Basset out.”
“Against Lord Audley?” Mary cried. And she blushed suddenly and vividly. “Why? What has he to do with it?”