Part 31 (2/2)
”But think of the two, as we know them to have been, and the relations which have existed between them for years past. Surely that must tell in his favor?”
”We are not the jury, remember. And, as for that, it would only go to show a motive for the crime, and make a conviction all the more certain.
No doubt it might induce them to call it manslaughter instead of murder, and the judge might pa.s.s a lighter sentence.”
”I do hope she will not die. It would be terrible to have her death on his conscience.”
”Well, of course, death is an ugly word, and no one has a right to wish that another might die. At the same time, I should say it would be a happy release for such a creature, who can have nothing but misery before her. But it will make little difference to him. He is entirely ruined, so far as his reputation is concerned. He could never hold his ground in England again, though he might have a second chance at the other side of the world. What Britain can't forget, Australia forgives.
Heaven created the Antipodes to restore the moral balance of Europe.”
”That is a poor satisfaction,” said Clara, ”to a man who does not want to live out of his own country.”
”Unfortunately, my dear, we cannot always choose our lot, especially when we have had the misfortune to kill or maim somebody in a fit of pa.s.sion.”
”I cannot believe that it is even so bad as that. It must have been an accident.”
”I wish I could think so; but if it is, no doubt the man may have the courage of his conscience, and then there will be nothing to prevent him from trying to live it down in London. I should not care for that sort of thing myself. I confess I depend too much on other people's opinions.”
”It would be a terrible fight to live it down in London--terrible, both for him and his friends.”
”Ah,” said Graham, quickly, ”it is a good thing that he has n.o.body in particular depending on him, no specially intimate friends that we are aware of.”
Clara looked steadily at the wall for two or three minutes, whilst her husband finished his breakfast.
”I wrote to Lettice last night,” she said at last, ”but, of course, I knew nothing of this business then.”
”I am very glad you did not. What on earth put Lettice into your head?
She has no conceivable interest in this miserable affair.”
”I think it is rather too much to say that she has no interest at all.
We know that she was interested in him.”
”We know that he is a married man.”
Graham's tone was growing a little savage, as it did sometimes, especially with his wife, whom he very sincerely loved. But Clara did not heed the warning note.
”Facts are facts, and we should not ignore them. I am sure they like each other, and his misfortune will be a great grief to her.”
”It was just what was wanted, then, to bring her to her senses. She may recognize now that Walcott is a man of ungovernable pa.s.sions. In all probability he will be a convicted felon before she comes back to England, and she will see that it is impossible to know any more of him.”
”Oh, James, how hard you are! She will never think of him as a felon. No more shall I!”
”He will be one, whatever you may think. As you said yourself, facts are facts, and they will have their proper influence upon you sooner or later.”
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