The boy with the horse was out of sight.

He would fain have put his arm round her, have consoled and supported her.

But she would not let him.
"Please understand," she said in a sort of gasp, as she drew herself away, "that I do _not_ believe Hurd is guilty--that I shall do my very utmost to defend him.

He is to me the victim of unjust, abominable laws! If _you_ will not help me to protect him--then I must look to some one else." Aldous felt a sudden stab of suspicion--presentiment.
"Of course he will be well defended; he will have every chance; that you may be sure of," he said slowly.
Marcella controlled herself, and they walked on.

As they entered the drive of Mellor, Aldous thought passionately of those divine moments in his sitting-room, hardly yet nine hours old.