"
He spoke in a strong full voice. Lady Lucy encountered a singular
vivacity in the gray eyes, as though the whole power of the man's
personality backed the words.
"Believe me," she said, with dignity, and not without kindness, "it is
not I who would revive such memories."
Sir James nodded quietly.
"I am not impartial; but I am well informed. It was my view which
affected the judge, and ultimately the Home Office. And since the
trial--in quite recent years--I have received a strange confirmation of
it which has never been made public. Did Oliver report this to you?"
"He told me certain facts," said Lady Lucy, unwillingly; "but I did not
see that they made much difference."
"Perhaps he did not give them the right emphasis," said Sir James,
calmly. "Will you allow _me_ to tell you the whole story?--as it
appears to me."
Lady Lucy looked distressed.
"Is it worth while," she said, earnestly, "to give yourself so much
pain? I cannot imagine that it could alter the view I take of my duty."
Sir James flushed, and sternly straightened himself. It was a well-known
gesture, and ominous to many a prisoner in the dock.
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