Part 36 (1/2)

”Then draw her arm through your own and follow me. She will go more quietly with you than with me,” said the sheriff.

They had spoken in a very low tone, in order to spare Sybil, though they scarcely needed to have taken the precaution; for she was paying no attention to anything that was pa.s.sing around her. She sat leaning back, with a look of utter weariness and stupor on her beautiful, pale face.

He raised her up, drew her hand through his arm, and whispered:

”Come, my darling, we are going now.”

This roused her a little. She looked around for her party, and saw Beatrix Pendleton sitting with her face buried in her handkerchief, as she had sat since the rendering of the verdict.

”Look, she is asleep. I don't wonder; it is very tiresome, and I'm almost asleep myself,” murmured Sybil, wearily gazing on her friend.

At that moment Captain Pendleton came up.

”Wake her, Clement, and bring her after us. You will both come home and take supper with me,” said Sybil, as she was about to be led away.

Captain Pendleton did not answer her, but gazed on her as if his heart was about to break.

”Don't look at me so, Clement. You must think I am sick; but I am not--only tired and stupid. I hope Tabby will have supper ready when we get home,” said Sybil, with a faint smile, as they led her off.

Captain Pendleton followed quickly, and touched Lyon Berners on the shoulder.

They exchanged glances.

”Oh, Heaven! Is this so?” whispered the captain, with a glance towards Sybil.

”It is so,” answered Lyon Berners.

”This affliction added to all the rest!”

”It is better, much better thus. She does not suffer now. Thank Heaven for this veil of insanity drawn between her and the horrors to come!

Pray heaven that she may never come to her senses while she lives in this world,” muttered Lyon Berners.

Captain Pendleton stepped back and gave his sister his arm.

”You will go with her to the prison?” he inquired.

”Yes, and stay with her there, if I may be permitted,” answered Beatrix, who was weeping bitterly.

”My dear, my n.o.ble sister! how I admire and thank you!” fervently exclaimed Clement Pendleton, as he led her after Sybil.

A storm had been gathering all the afternoon. It had not been noticed by the people, whose attention had been swallowed up in the absorbing interest of the trial. But now, as they reached the open doors, the storm burst in thunder on the air, and the rain fell in torrents.

Many of the people retreated into the court-room to wait until the weather should be clear, or they should be able to procure umbrellas.

But our unhappy party went boldly out into the rain.

Sybil's carriage had been waiting, as on the preceding evening, to take her home. It was to be employed now to take her somewhere else.

”I am glad of this storm,” said Mr. Berners, after he had put his wife into her seat, and while he was holding the door open for Beatrix, whom her brother had just led up. ”I am very glad of this storm.”