To both the moment was one of infinite meaning; to her, in her high spiritual excitement, a sacrament of pardon and gratitude--expressed once for all--by this touch--in Aldous Raeburn's presence.
The two men nodded to each other.

Wharton was already busy, putting his papers together.
"We shall meet next week, I suppose, in the House ?" said Wharton, casually.

"Good-night." * * * * * "Will you take me to the Court ?" said Marcella to Aldous, directly the door of the carriage was shut upon them, and, amid a gaping crowd that almost filled the little market-place of Widrington, the horses moved off.

"I told mamma, that, if I did not come home, I should be with you, and that I should ask you to send me back from the Court to-night." She still held the packet Wharton had given her in her hand.

As though for air, she had thrown back the black gauze veil she had worn all through the trial, and, as they passed through the lights of the town, Aldous could see in her face the signs--the plain, startling signs--of the effect of these weeks upon her.