'
'Has any one found out the history of the accident?' said William.
'I have vainly been trying to make sense of Maurice's account,' said
Claude.
'Sense!' said William, 'there is none.'
'I am perfectly bewildered,' said Lily; 'every one has a different
story, only consenting in making Phyllis the victim.'
'And,' added Claude, 'I strongly suspect she is not in fault.'
'Why should you doubt what she says herself?' said Eleanor.
'What does she say herself?' said William, 'nothing but that she shut
the door, and what does that amount to?--Nothing.'
'She says she touched the powder,' interposed Jane.
'That is another matter,' said William; 'no one told me of her
touching the powder. But why do you not ask her? She is publicly
condemned without a hearing.'
'Who accuses her?' said Mr. Mohun.
'I can hardly tell,' said Emily; 'she met us, saying she was very
sorry. Yes, she accuses herself. Every one has believed it to be
her.'
'And why?'
There was a pause, but at last Emily said, 'How would you account for
it otherwise?'
'I have not yet heard the circumstances. Maurice, I wish to hear
your account. I will not now ask how you procured the powder.
Pages:
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314