d to the
man who had moved his chair against the bedside table--the man who had
struggled to the last to defend Eustace's papers from the wretches who
had seized them. I decided then and there that the first person to whom
I would confide my aspirations and my hopes should be Mr. Dexter. If he
felt any difficulty about advising me, I would then apply next to the
agent, Mr. Playmore--the second good friend, who had formally protested
against the seizure of my husband's papers.

Fortified by this resolution, I turned the page, and read the history of
the third day of the Trial.

CHAPTER XVIII. THIRD QUESTION--WHAT WAS HIS MOTIVE?

THE first question (Did the Woman Die Poisoned?) had been answered,
positively. The second question (Who Poisoned Her?) had been answered,
apparently. There now remained the third and final question--What was
His Motive? The first evidence called in answer to that inquiry was the
evidence of relatives and friends of the dead wife.

Lady Brydehaven, widow of Rear-Admiral Sir George Brydehaven, examined
by Mr. Drew (counsel for the Crown with the Lord Advocate), gave
evidence as follows:

"The deceased lady (Mrs. Eustace Macallan) was my niece. She was the
only child of my sister, and she lived under my roof after the time of
her mother's death. I objected to her marriage, on grounds which were
considered purely fanciful and sentimental by her other friends. It is
extremely painful to me to state the circumstances in public, but I am
ready to make the sacrifice if the ends of justice require it.

"The prisoner at the bar, at the time of which I am now speaking, was
staying as a guest in my house. He met with an accident while he was
out riding which caused a serious injury to one of his legs. The leg had
been previously hurt while he was serving with the army in India. This
circumstance tended greatly to aggravate the injury received in the
accident. He was confined to a recumbent position on a sofa for many
weeks together; and the ladies in the house took it in turns to sit with
him, and while away the weary time by reading to him and talking to him.
My niece was foremost among these volunteer nurses. She played admirably
on the piano; and the sick man happened--most unfortunately, as the
event proved--to be fond of music.

"The consequences of the perfectly innocent intercourse thus begun were
deplorable consequences for my niece. She became passionately attached
to Mr. Eustace Macal