an, anxious to have
some message from her that might cheer and strengthen me, and my first
question was this,--

"Mr. Stanton, you are aware that I am engaged in marriage to Miss
Ashleigh. Your family are not unacquainted with her. What says, what
thinks she of this monstrous charge against her betrothed?"

"I was for two hours at Mrs. Ashleigh's house last evening," replied
the lawyer; "she was naturally anxious to see me as employed in your
defence. Who do you think was there? Who, eager to defend you, to
express his persuasion of your innocence, to declare his conviction
that the real criminal would be soon discovered,--who but that same Mr.
Margrave; whom, pardon me my frankness, you so rashly and groundlessly
suspected."

"Heavens! Do you say that he is received in that house; that he--he is
familiarly admitted to her presence?"

"My good sir, why these unjust prepossessions against a true friend? It
was as your friend that, as soon as the charge against you amazed
and shocked the town of L----, Mr. Margrave called on Mrs. Ashleigh,
presented to her by Miss Brabazon, and was so cheering and hopeful
that--"

"Enough!" I exclaimed,--"enough!"

I paced the room in a state of excitement and rage, which the lawyer in
vain endeavoured to calm, until at length I halted abruptly: "Well, and
you saw Miss Ashleigh? What message does she send to me--her betrothed?"

Mr. Stanton looked confused. "Message! Consider, sir, Miss Ashleigh's
situation--the delicacy--and--and--"

"I understand, no message, no word, from a young lady so respectable to
a man accused of murder."

Mr. Stanton was silent for some moments, and then said quietly, "Let us
change this subject; let us think of what more immediately presses. I
see you have been making some notes: may I look at them?"

I composed myself and sat down. "This accuser! Have inquiries really
been made as to himself, and his statement of his own proceedings? He
comes, he says, from America: in what ship? At what port did he land? Is
there any evidence to corroborate his story of the relations he tried to
discover; of the inn at which he first put up, and to which he could not
find his way?"

"Your suggestions are sensible, Dr. Fenwick. I have forestalled them. It
is true that the man lodged at a small inn,--the Rising Sun; true
that lie made inquiries about some relations of the name of Walls, who
formerly resided at L----, and afterwards removed to a village ten
miles