The Shadow of the Rope

observed Mrs. Steel, "is to assume

urney, unless, indeed, the magazines and the Sunday newspapers turned out to be another offering to Mrs. Minchin, like the nosegay of hothouse flowers which she still held in her hand. Rachel herself had inadvertently taken the very easy-chair which was a further feature of the recess; in its cushioned depths she already felt at a nee

entity, or for a single moment to conceal your own, and that I have taken a great deal upon

e, then?" asked Rachel, w

m. But they will keep. Indeed, I would

ou brought them

re unconcealed; but Steel's disregard o

distinctive as the first. We will leave for a moment the question of my officiousness in the matter, and we'll suppose, for the sake of argument, that I was authorized by you to do what in fact I have done. All last week the papers were literally full of your trial, but on S

here was one, if she could but recall it; meanwhile she said nothing

Now, it was on Friday afternoon, if you recollect, that you gave evidence yourself in your own defence.

ns who had fared so much worse and lost their lives. But Steel's last words dismissed every tho

e whispered. "You bel

ourtesy of his bow in answer, but not the subtlety of the smile that bore it company in

hard to remove it, and the judge too just-though your own man did his best. But I saw at once that it would never be removed. It was between you and the jury-human being to human beings-and no third legal

ted lips, only to shut th

t last night, and at least you have one good night's rest between you and the past. My dear Mrs. Minchin, I had absolutely no right at all; but I had the excuse which every man has who sees a wom

erity, something that Rachel could take up; and she ga

you never saw me before

y life, my

something abo

ither more nor less-upon my most so

e period of notoriety; he had no special and no previous knowledge of his own. It might not be true, of course; but there was that in the deep-set eyes which convinced Rachel once and for all. There was a sudden light in them, a light as candid as that which happened to

ther wish you had known something about me; it would have made it more natural for

had spoken of taking th

r m

chance of you

not say they

a daughter-a widow-whom I rather expected to arrive from a

thought I h

; and I picked out the name of a married woman travelling alone, and therefore very possibly a widow, from the number. Then I went to the manager. The daughter whom I expected had been wrecked, but she was saved, and would arrive that night. As a matter of

for so elabora

rutiny worthy of itself. Steel set his mouth i

y notorious through no fault of her own-if only for a day or two, or a single night. That was most easi

sure of me!" sa

t was said you had no friends. I will confess,"

that I could

tics. Nothing was more noticeable at your trial; nothing finer have I ever seen! But," added Steel, suppressing a burst of enthusiasm that

"and so far I have do

at this-even if you won't hear me out-it is something that you have ha

thing that she had dimly divined in the very beginning-only to chide herself for the mere thought-that thing was in h

daughter!" she exclaimed nerv

g to suggest to you a still

s quietly determined and serious

not to be your daughter

it. But it will dep

you want to

wi