"Perhaps," rejoined the officer, "if he should be found guilty, he may be more softened in view of his punishment."
After two days the criminal was remanded to his cell, condemned to be executed for wilful murder. Indeed, so overwhelming had been the testimony of his guilt, and that too of the most aggravated character, that the jury were unanimous in their opinion. How much one of them suffered during the thirty-six hours that he was retained, I must leave it to my readers to imagine. He returned to his mansion pallid, care-worn, and depressed, almost dreading to see Ella, for fear that she should read the dreadful truth in his sad countenance.
The family had been to tea when he arrived, and the poor wife was just deploring her hard fate to Mrs. Danforth when he appeared.
It seemed to him that he had never received so warm a welcome. His mother brought his slippers and dressing-gown, while Ella bustled about and passed him a cup of tea with her own hands, which was presently followed by a more substantial meal.
After he had partaken it, he was sitting with his head concealed by Harry's curls, trying to evade the inquiries of his wife, when the door was opened, and the servant announced Captain Greyson.
"I tried to overtake you as we came out of court," said the gentleman, frankly, "for I intended to impose myself upon your hospitality, but you were too quick for me. I don't wonder at it," he added, gayly casting his eye around the happy group.
"I will order some supper for you at once," said Mrs. Danforth, rising.
"Certainly you don't mean to impose upon me the duty of eating two suppers, after such a tedious time in court," he added, with a laugh. "No, I need nothing, thank you. I stopped at a restaurant before I came out of the city."
The conversation at length turned upon the poor criminal. Mrs. Danforth being very anxious to hear the particulars, the officer kindly complied with her request; Mr. Danforth, taking Harry in his arms and walking the room, all the while endeavoring to attract the notice of the other without being seen by his wife.
After describing his really loathsome appearance, his long, shaggy beard, his uncombed hair, and his look of defiance as he listened to his sentence, the gentleman, finding his hearers were greatly interested, went on to give an account of his first acquaintance with the culprit.
"It was in Calcutta," he began; "I am quite sure of the fact, though he persists in saying that he is a Spaniard. At that time he called himself—"
"Captain Greyson!" cried out Mr. Danforth, in a quick, sharp voice, "do come and tell me whether this is a good picture of St. Peter's church, at Rome; you have been there often, I suppose."
The gentleman complied, though evidently wondering not a little at the abruptness of the host.
"In mercy to us all," whispered Mr. Danforth, turning very pale, "say nothing more; I will explain at some future time;" then added aloud in a forced voice, "It is said to be very fine. I have long wanted to ask some one who would be frank enough to give me his real opinion."
"Excuse me, Ella," he said, as he returned to his seat, and hiding his face in the neck of the boy, "but really I find myself so nervous and excitable to-night, in consequence of my long confinement, that I may be guilty of some breach of etiquette."
The lady glanced anxiously at her husband, and for the first time noticing his haggard appearance, became really concerned for fear he would be ill.
"No," said he, "when I have bid Harry good-night, I will throw myself into the large chair at your side, and get Captain Greyson to favor us with a description of some of the wonderful sights he has witnessed."
And so by the kind and considerate care of her husband, Ella was saved the knowledge of the dreadful end to which her brother's crimes had brought him. Here we must leave them, trusting that we have accomplished the object of our simple story by verifying God's faithfulness to his promises, both as regards the industrious and the idle.