t again unless I help you.

"How am I to help you?

"That question is easily answered. What the Law has failed to do for
you, your Wife must do for you. Do you remember what I said when we were
together in the back room at Major Fitz-David's house? I told you that
the first thought that came to me, when I heard what the Scotch jury had
done, was the thought of setting their vile Verdict right. Well! Your
letter has fixed this idea more firmly in my mind than ever. The only
chance that I can see of winning you back to me, in the character of a
penitent and loving husband, is to change that underhand Scotch Verdict
of Not Proven into an honest English Verdict of Not Guilty.

"Are you surprised at the knowledge of the law which this way of writing
betrays in an ignorant woman? I have been learning, my dear: the Law and
the Lady have begun by understanding one another. In plain English, I
have looked into Ogilvie's 'Imperial Dictionary,' and Ogilvie tells
me, 'A verdict of Not Proven only indicates that, in the opinion of the
jury, there is a deficiency in the evidence to convict the prisoner. A
verdict of Not Guilty imports the jury's opinion that the prisoner is
innocent.' Eustace, that shall be the opinion of the world in general,
and of the Scotch jury in particular, in your case. To that one object I
dedicate my life to come, if God spare me!

"Who will help me, when I need help, is more than I yet know. There was
a time when I had hoped that we should go hand in hand together in doing
this good work. That hope is at an end. I no longer expect you, or
ask you, to help me. A man who thinks as you think can give no help to
anybody--it is his miserable condition to have no hope. So be it! I will
hope for two, and will work for two; and I shall find some one to help
me--never fear--if I deserve it.

"I will say nothing about my plans--I have not read the Trial yet. It
is quite enough for me that I know you are innocent. When a man is
innocent, there _must_ be a way of proving it: the one thing needful is
to find the way. Sooner or later, with or without assistance, I shall
find it. Yes! before I know any single particular of the Case, I tell
you positively--I shall find it!

"You may laugh over this blind confidence on my part, or you may cry
over it. I don't pretend to know whether I am an object for ridicule or
an object for pity. Of one thing only I am certain: I mean to win
you back, a man vindicated before the w