r.

In conclusion, I ought to say, that the plaintiff's friends regard the
result as a victory, and the national press is strong in asserting that,
if the Orange element had been eliminated from the jury-box, there is
little doubt that Count Bramleigh--as they call him--would at that hour
be dispensing the splendid hospitalities of a princely house to his
county neighbors, and the still more gratifying benefits of a wide
charity to the poor around him. Writing rapidly, as I do, I make no
pretension to anything like an accurate history of the case. There are
a vast variety of things to which I mean to direct your attention when
a more favorable moment will permit. I will only now add, that your
presence in England is urgently required, and that your return to
Castello, to resume there the style of living that alike becomes the
proprietor and the place, is, in the opinion of all your friends, much
to be desired.

Mr. Waller does not hesitate to say that your absence decided the case
against you, and was heard to declare openly that "he for one had no
fancy to defend a cause for a man who voluntarily gave himself up as
beaten."

May I entreat, then, you will make it your convenience to return here?
I cannot exaggerate the ill effects of your absence, nor to what extent
your enemies are enabled to use the circumstance to your discredit.
Jurors are, after all, but men, taken from the common mass of those who
read and talk over the public scandals of the hour, and all the cautions
of the Bench never yet succeeded in making men forget, within the
court-house, what they had for weeks before been discussing outside of
it.

At all events, do not dismiss my suggestion without some thought over
it, or better still, without consulting some friends in whose sense
and intelligence you have confidence. I am, with many apologies for the
liberty I have thus taken,

Most faithfully your servant,

T. Sedley.

When Bramleigh had read this letter carefully over, he proceeded to
Nelly's room, to let her hear its contents.

"It's not very cheery news," said he, "but it might be worse. Shall I
read it for you, or will you read it yourself?"

"Read it, Gusty; I would rather hear it from you," said she, as she sat
down with her face to the window, and partially averted from him as he
sat.

Not a word dropped from her while he read; and though once or twice he
paused as if to invite a remark or a question, she never spoke, nor by a