The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 397: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

366 THE COURT OF LONDON not think that there is any danger, Fernanda?” he said, with all the grovelling meanness of a coward disposition that seeks to imbibe the inspiration of confidence and courage from the assurances of a bolder and more daring spirit. ‘You have told me that there is nothing to fear, and yet you yourself are not altogether free from alarm? Oh! speak candidly, frankly, and say whether you think Arthur Eaton will be able to rebut the charge of a double murder and fix the appalling accusation upon us? ” ‘“‘T have already assured you of my belief in our safety,” responded Fernanda; “ but I must candidly confess, since you yourself have offered the suggestion, that much — if not everything — depends upon whether Caroline Walters had any communication with Arthur Eaton before her death. The affair of the knife is the most damnatory point in the evidence against Arthur, and if the case remains just as it was when he was committed for trial, his condemnation is certain.” ‘But may he not offer some explanatory suggestions relative to the incident of the knife?’ asked Lord Holder- ness, whose conscience rendered his imagination poignantly active in conjuring up fresh sources of terror. ‘‘ Or suppose, for instance, that the cutler of whom I purchased that knife should happen to come forward — ”’ ‘How can he, unless sought after? ’’ exclaimed Fernanda. ‘‘ Besides, did you not choose a knife which happened to have no maker’s name upon either blade? ” ‘“‘True,’”’ observed Lord Holderness. ‘ There is, however, another point which troubles me in connection with the affair of the knife.” ‘“ What is it?’’ demanded Fernanda, abruptly. . ‘“T mean,”’ responded her husband, “ that is, I fear that Arthur Eaton will be enabled to give a feasible explanation relative to the incident. During the period of his incarcera- tion he has had ample leisure to collect his ideas and concen- trate all his reminiscences; and he will not fail to recollect that visit which you and I paid him in Hanover Square immediately after our marriage.”’ “He cannot well have forgotten it,’ observed Lady Holderness. “ No, and therefore he will call to mind the fact that while you remained alone with him for a short space,’ con- Gomiuicbdoc “S (E()