"What a fight he has made!" The ready enthusiasm rang in the girl's clear voice. Then her tone changed she continued. "Yes," she said thoughtfully, "Marion is lucky to have such friends as you and Russell Vanbrugh."
"I? Oh, I do not count. What can a woman do on days like these? I can only stay here and try to make her feel that I am a comfortable pillow for her to lay her head upon, when she is entirely worn out. Poor Marion! She is the bravest woman I ever knew. But then--"
She stopped, hesitating, and Brett, who was almost too much excited to follow all the words she spoke, was suddenly aware that she had not finished the sentence.
"What were you going to say?" he asked, struggling desperately to remember what she had said already.
"I hardly ought--I suppose," objected Dolly. "But then--what can it matter? He is sure to be found guilty, is he not?"
"Well then--Marion must feel that when this last agony is over she will have much more peace in her life than she has enjoyed for a long time. I wonder whether it is very wrong to say such things."
"Wrong? Why? We all think them, I am sure. At least, you and Vanbrugh and I do. As for society, I do not know what it thinks. I have not had time to ask, nor time to care, for that matter."
"I suppose everybody sympathises with Marion as we do."
"Oh, of course. Do you know? I believe she will be more popular than before. Everything that has come out in this abominable trial has been in her favour. People realise what a life she has been living during all these years--without a complaint. Wonderful woman! That brute Darche! I wish he were to be hanged instead of sent to the Penitentiary!"
"He deserves it," answered Dolly with the utmost conviction. "I suppose Marion will get a divorce."
Again Brett stopped short in his walk and looked at her keenly. The idea had doubtless passed through his own mind, but he had not heard any one else express it as yet.
"After all," he said slowly, "there is no reason why she should not."
Then he suddenly relapsed into silence and resumed his walk.
"And then I suppose," said Dolly thoughtfully, "she would marry again."
Brett said nothing to this, but continued to pace the floor, glancing at the young girl from time to time, and meditating on the total depravity of innocence.