 burst into a passion of tears. The feelings pent up through the day
would have vent. But checking herself with a strong effort, and looking up at
Margaret as piteously as if those calm, stony eyes could see her imploring face,
she added -
    »I must not cry; I must not give way; there will be time enough for that
hereafter, if - I only wanted you to speak kindly to me, Margaret, for I am
very, very wretched; more wretched than any one can ever know; more wretched, I
sometimes fancy, than I have deserved - but that's wrong, isn't it, Margaret?
Oh! I have done wrong, and I am punished: you cannot tell how much.«
    Who could resist her voice, her tones of misery, of humility? Who would
refuse the kindness for which she begged so penitently? Not Margaret. The old
friendly manner came back. With it, maybe, more of tenderness.
    »Oh, Margaret! do you think he can be saved; do you think they can find him
guilty, if Will comes forward as a witness? Won't that be a good alibi?«
    Margaret did not answer for a moment.
    »Oh, speak, Margaret!« said Mary, with anxious impatience.
    »I know nought about law, or alibis,« replied Margaret meekly; »but, Mary,
as grandfather says, aren't you building too much on what Jane Wilson has told
you about his going with Will? Poor soul, she's gone dateless, I think, with
care, and watching, and overmuch trouble; and who can wonder? Or Jem may have
told her he was going, by way of a blind.«
    »You don't know Jem,« said Mary, starting from her seat in a hurried manner,
»or you would not say so.«
    »I hope I may be wrong! but think, Mary, how much there is against him. The
shot was fired with his gun; he it was as threatened Mr. Carson not many days
before; he was absent from home at that very time, as we know, and, as I'm much
afeard, some one will be called on to prove; and there's no one else to share
suspicion with him.«
    Mary heaved a deep sigh.
    »But, Margaret, he did not do it,« Mary again asserted.
    Margaret looked unconvinced.
    »I can do no good, I see, by saying so, for none
