The Trial [118]
placed on his head the black cap, and it was with trembling hands that he did so; the blood had entirely left his face, and his lips were purple with the struggle to contend with and suppress his emotion. He paused, as though he were girding himself up to the most terrible of duties, and when he spoke his voice was hollow, as he began: 'Leonard Axworthy Ward, you have been found guilty of a crime that would have appeared impossible in one removed from temptation by birth and education such as yours have been. What the steps may have been that led to such guilt, must lie between your own conscience and that God whose justice you have acknowledged. To Him you have evidently been taught to look; and may you use the short time that still remains to you, in seeking His forgiveness by sincere repentance. I will forward the recommendation to mercy, but it is my duty to warn you that there are no such palliating circumstances in the evidence, as to warrant any expectation of a remission of the sentence. And therewith followed the customary form of sentence, ending with the solemn 'And may God Almighty have mercy on your soul!' Full and open, and never quailing, had the dark eyes been fixed upon the judge all the time; and at those last words, the head bent low, and the lips moved for 'Amen.' Then Tom, relieved to find instant occupation for his father, drew his attention to Aubrey's state; and the boy between Tom and George Rivers was, as best they could, carried through the narrow outlets, and laid down in a room, opened to them by the sheriff, where his father and Flora attended him, while Tom flew for remedies; and Gertrude sobbed and wept as she had never done in her life. It was some time before the swoon yielded, or Dr. May could leave his son, and then he was bent on at once going to the prisoner; but he was so shaken and tremulous, that Tom insisted on giving him his arm, and held an umbrella over him in the driving rain. 'Father,' he said, as soon as they were in the street, 'I can swear who did it.' Dr. May just hindered himself from uttering the name, but Tom answered as if it had been spoken. 'Yes. I saw the face of fiendish barbarity that once was over me, when I was a miserable little school-boy! He did it; and he has the receipt.' Dr. May squeezed his arm. 'I have not betrayed the secret, have I!' 'You knew that he knew it!' 'Not knew--suspected--generosity.' 'I saw him! I saw him cast those imploring earnest eyes of his on the scoundrel as he spoke of the receipt--and the villain try to make himself of stone. Well, if I have one wish in life, it is to see that fellow come to the fate he deserves. I'll never lose sight of him; I'll dog him like a bloodhound!' And what good will that do, when-- Tom, Tom, we must move Heaven and earth for petitions. I'll take them up myself, and get George Rivers to take me to the Home Secretary. Never fear, while there's justice in Heaven.' 'Here's Henry!' exclaimed Tom, withholding his father, who had almost ran against the brother, as they encountered round a corner. He was pale and bewildered, and hardly seemed to hear the Doctor's hasty asseverations that he would get a reprieve. 'He sent me to meet you,' said Henry. 'He wants you to go home--to Ave I mean. He says that is what he wants most--for you to go to her now, and to come to him to-morrow, or when you can; and he wants to hear how Aubrey is,' continued Henry, as if dreamily repeating a lesson. 'He saw then--?' 'Yes, and that seems to trouble him most.' Dr. May was past speaking, and Tom was obliged to answer for him-- that Aubrey was pretty well again, and had desired his dearest, dearest love; then asked how Leonard was. 'Calm and firm as ever,' said Henry, half choked. 'Nothing seems to upset him, but speaking of--of you and Aubrey, Dr. May--and poor Ave. Butbut they'll be together before long.' 'No such thing,' said Dr. May. 'You will see that certainty cures, when suspense kills; and for him, I'll never believe but that all will be right yet. Are you going home?' 'I shall try to be with--with the dear