It was the first real taste of freedom; and in another minute Rachel was free.
Oh, but what a miracle to hear her feet on the now deserted pavement, to see her breath in the raw November night, and the lights of Ludgate Hill beyond! Rachel raised her veil to see them better.

Who would look for her afoot so near the scene of her late ordeal?
And what did it matter who saw her and who knew her now?
She was innocent; she could look the whole world in the face once more.

Oh, to rub shoulders with the world again! A cab came tinkling up behind her, and Rachel half thought of hailing it, and driving through the lighted town after all; but the hansom was occupied, and the impulse passed.

She put down her veil and turned into the stream without catching a suspicious eye.

Why should they suspect her?
And again, what did it matter if they did?
"Trial an' verdic'! Trial an' verdic'! Acquittal o' Mrs.Minchin! Trial an' verdic'!" Everybody was buying the damp, pink sheets.