Page:Sylvester Sound the Somnambulist (1844).djvu/475

"I scorn," replied Sir Charles, with indignation, "I scorn to answer any question put in that tone."

"What tone, Sir Charles Julian—what tone should I assume to him who has blasted the reputation of my child, and who has affixed a stain of infamy upon her, like a fool—like a fool—like a villain and a fool? She is innocent! I care nothing for your verdicts! Five thousand verdicts will not be sufficient to make me believe that she is anything but pure!"

"General Lloyd," said Sir Charles, "while you pursue this irrational course, I cannot talk with you."

"While I pursue this irrational course! What course would you have me pursue, Sir Charles, since you deem that of warmly defending my child—believing her to be innocent—irrational!"

"I do not deem that to be irrational. I will defend her as warmly as you can!"

"You defend her! You, who have basely cast her out of the pale of society, and branded her a wanton!—you defend her! If she had no stronger defence than yours, the weakness of her position would be pitiable indeed. But she has a more potent defender than her husband. She has a father, who will defend her while he has life and breath: she has, moreover, the strength which conscious innocence imparts, and that surpasses all. Have your trials—sue for your divorce—she is innocent—innocent still!"

"I believe that she is! I now firmly believe it!"

"You do!"

"I do, most firmly."

"And how has that belief been inspired?"

"By the knowledge of the fact that that young man is, in reality, a somnambulist. I have proved it. I have proved it beyond all doubt. I am therefore satisfied."

The general rang the bell, and desired the servant to request "Lady Julian" to come down, and not another word was spoken until she appeared.

As she entered, Sir Charles was the first to address her. "Matilda," said he, "I am here to inform you that I have happily become quite convinced of your innocence."

"Sir Charles Julian!" she exclaimed, with an expression of scorn, "whether you have or have not become convinced, is a matter to me of the most perfect indifference. You have injured me irreparably: you have brought yourself into profound contempt; and now all you have to do is to sue for a divorce, and the sooner you obtain it the better."

"Matilda," resumed Sir Charles calmly, "I did not expect this from you."

"What did you expect, Sir Charles Julian? Did you expect that, like a guilty thing, I should tremble, or be silent, or sink before him who has thus vilely cast upon my character a stain of infamy!"

"I expected that you would at least have been calm: for although I have now no desire to urge it still the event justified suspicion."