Neither does she seem
to dread the trial, as I do for her, nor to guess what cross-
examination may be. Constance Hacket has been subpoenaed, and her
sister expatiates on her nervousness. It is one comfort that Reginald
must be there as a witness, so that it is not in the power of Irish
disturbances to keep him from us! May we only be at ease about Maurice
by that time!'
CHAPTER XXI.
IN COURT AND OUT.
How Dolores's heart beat when Colonel Mohun drove up to the door! She
durst not run out to greet him among her cousins; but stood by her
aunt, feeling hot and cold and trembling, in the doubt whether he would
kiss her.
Yes, she did feel his kiss, and Mysie looked at her in congratulation.
But what did it mean? Was it only that it came as a matter of course,
and he forgot to withhold it, or was it that he had given up hopes of
her father, and was sorry for her? She could not make up her mind, for
he came so late in the evening that she scarcely saw him before bed-
time, and he did not take any special notice of her the next morning.
He had done his best to save her from being long detained at
Darminster, by ascertaining as nearly as possible when Flinders's case
would come on, and securing a room at the nearest inn, where she might
await a summons into court. Lady Merrifield was going with them, but
would not take either of her daughters, thinking that every home eye
would be an additional distress, and that it was better that no one
should see or remember Dolores as a witness.
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