The governor took the first opportunity to bring the affair of Miss Matthews upon the carpet, and then, turning to Murphy, he said, “It is very lucky this gentleman happens to be present; I do assure you, madam, your cause cannot be in abler hands. He is, I believe, the best man in England at a defence; I have known him often succeed against the most positive evidence.”
“Fy, sir,” answered Murphy; “you know I hate all this; but, if the lady will trust me with her cause, I will do the best in my power. Come, madam, do not be discouraged; a bit of manslaughter and cold iron, I hope, will be the worst: or perhaps we may come off better with a slice of chance-medley, or _se defendendo_”
“I am very ignorant of the law, sir,” cries the lady.
“Yes, madam,” answered Murphy; “it can’t be expected you should understand it. There are very few of us who profess it that understand the whole, nor is it necessary we should. There is a great deal of rubbish of little use, about indictments, and abatements, and bars, and ejectments, and trovers, and such stuff, with which people cram their heads to little purpose. The chapter of evidence is the main business; that is the sheet-anchor; that is the rudder, which brings the vessel safe _in portum_. Evidence is, indeed, the whole, the _summa totidis_, for _de non apparentibus et non insistentibus eandem est ratio_.”
“If you address yourself to me, sir,” said the lady, “you are much too learned, I assure you, for my understanding.”
“_Tace_, madam,” answered Murphy, “is Latin for a candle: I commend your prudence. I shall know the particulars of your case when we are alone.”
“I hope the lady,” said Robinson, “hath no suspicion of any person here. I hope we are all persons of honour at this table.”
“D--n my eyes!” answered a well-dressed woman, “I can answer for myself and the other ladies; though I never saw the lady in my life, she need not be shy of us, d--n my eyes! I scorn to rap [Footnote: A cant word, meaning to swear, or rather to perjure yourself] against any lady.”
“D--n me, madam!” cried another female, “I honour what you have done. I once put a knife into a cull myself--so my service to you, madam, and I wish you may come off with _se diffidendo_ with all my heart.”