From his seat by the fire Langham scowled across at her, but the scowl was lost in the darkness.
"Your father was here last evening, Marsh," Evelyn said at length, remembering she had not seen him the night before, and that he had breakfasted and gone before she was up that morning.
"What did he come for ?" her husband asked.
"I think to see you.

Poor man, he doesn't seem able to get the run of the hours you keep; I told him he could always find you here between four and eight in the morning.

I must say this little insight into your domestic habits appeared to distress him, but I tried to comfort him,--I told him you would probably outlive us all." She laughed softly.

"Andy was here this afternoon, Marsh," she went on.
"What the devil did he want ?" "I don't know." "Is he coming back ?" "He didn't mention it, if he is." And again she laughed.
Langham moved impatiently; her low full-throated mirth jarred on his somber mood.
"Were you in court to-day, Marsh ?" she inquired, after a short silence.
"Yes," he answered briefly.
"Were there many there ?" "Yes." "Any ladies, Marsh ?" she questioned, with sudden eagerness.
"If you can call them that," he growled.
"Do you know, Marsh, I had a strong impulse to go, too.

Would you have been astonished to see me there ?" she asked tentatively.
"We won't have any of that,--do you understand ?" he said with fierce authority.
"Why not?
It's as right for me as it is for any one else, isn't it ?" "I won't _have_ it!" he said, lifting his voice slightly.
She had risen and now stood leaning against the arm of his chair.
"Marsh, he didn't kill McBride; he couldn't,--he wouldn't harm a mouse!" Her words set him raging.
"Keep quiet, will you,--what do you know about it, anyhow ?" he cried with sullen ferocity.
"Don't be rude, Marsh! So you don't want me to come to the trial,--you tell me I can't ?" "Did my father say anything about this matter,--the trial, I mean ?" asked Langham haltingly.
"Yes, I think he spoke of it, but I really wasn't interested because you see I am so sure John North is innocent!" He caught one of her hands in his and drew her down on the arm of his chair where he could look into her eyes.
"There is just one question I want to ask you, Evelyn, but I expect you'll answer it as you choose," he said, with his face close to hers.
"Then why ask it ?" she said.
"Why,--because I want to know.