, overhung with the languorous haziness of motiveless
ease, where poetry was only literature, and the fine ideas had to be taken down
from the shelves of the library when her husband's back was turned. But it
seemed as if all outward conditions concurred, along with her generous sympathy
for the Transomes, and with those native tendencies against which she had once
begun to struggle, to make this middling lot the best she could attain to. She
was in this half-sad half-satisfied resignation to something like what is called
worldly wisdom, when she went to see her father, and learn what she could from
him about Felix.
    The little minister was much depressed, unable to resign himself to the
dread which had begun to haunt him, that Felix might have to endure the odious
penalty of transportation for the manslaughter, which was the offence that no
evidence in his favour could disprove.
    »I had been encouraged by the assurances of men instructed in this regard,«
said Mr Lyon, while Esther sat on the stool near him, and listened anxiously,
»that though he were pronounced guilty in regard to this deed whereinto he hath
calamitously fallen, yet that a judge mildly disposed, and with a due sense of
that invisible activity of the soul whereby the deeds which are the same in the
outward appearance and effect, yet differ as the knife-stroke of the surgeon,
even though it kill, differs from the knife-stroke of a wanton mutilator, might
use his discretion in tempering the punishment, so that it would not be very
evil to bear. But now it is said that the judge who cometh is a severe man, and
one nourishing a prejudice against the bolder spirits who stand not in the old
paths.«
    »I am going to be present at the trial, father,« said Esther, who was
preparing the way to express a wish, which she was timid about even with her
father. »I mentioned to Mrs Transome that I should like to do so, and she said
that she used in old days always to attend the assizes, and that she would take
me. You will be there, father?«
    »Assuredly I shall be there, having been summoned to bear witness to Felix's
character, and to his having uttered remonstrances and warnings long beforehand
whereby he proved himself an enemy to riot. In our ears, who knew him, it sounds
strangely that aught else should be credible; but he hath few to speak for him,
though I trust that Mr Harold Transome's testimony will go far, if, as you