The tone of this last "but you" (poor Brierly couldn't help it), that seemed to imply I was no more noticeable than an insect, caused me to look at the proposal with indignation, and on account of that provocation, or for some other reason, I became positive in my mind that the inquiry was a severe punishment to that Jim, and that his facing it--practically of his own free will--was a redeeming feature in his abominable case.

I hadn't been so sure of it before.

Brierly went off in a huff.

At the time his state of mind was more of a mystery to me than it is now.
'Next day, coming into court late, I sat by myself.

Of course I could not forget the conversation I had with Brierly, and now I had them both under my eyes.