A strange man had
brought it an hour before, she said--it was marked 'In haste--this will
save Mr. Davenant's life.' She had mounted her riding horse, and
brought it at full speed in person, without waiting to question the
stranger, who had at once disappeared.
"I opened the letter--glanced at its contents--at the same instant the
jury made their appearance--and the clerk said:--
"'Gentlemen of the jury, have you agreed upon a verdict?'
"'We have, sir,' said the foreman.
"'What is it?'
"'Not guilty!'
"The court-house rang with applause. The crowd rushed toward me to
shake me by the hand and congratulate me. Suddenly, in the midst of the
tumult, I heard the furious words:--
"'Murderer! you have escaped, but I brand you before God and man as the
murderer of my brother!'
"It was Judge Conway, who, mounted upon a bench, with glaring eyes,
foaming lips, teeth clenched, in a wild fury, shook his arm at me, and
denounced me as a convict before God, if not before man."
XXIII.
WHAT THE LETTER CONTAINED.
General Davenant was silent for a moment. The deep voice, so long
resounding in my ears, made the silence oppressive.
"Now you know, my dear colonel," he suddenly added, "why my son can not
form an alliance with a daughter of Judge Conway.
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