Lord Culverleigh, her brother, was known to be his intimate friend, and the rumour had come already to be regarded as an accomplished fact when, like a thunder-bolt, had come Wentworth's arraignment for forgery.
It had set all London talking.

The evidence against him was far-reaching and overwhelming.

After the first shock no one believed him innocent.
The result of the trial was looked upon before its commencement as a foregone conclusion until it became known that Percival Field, the rising man of the day, had undertaken his defence, and then like the swing of a weather cock public opinion veered.

If Field defended him, there must be some very strong point in his favour, men argued.

Field was not the sort to touch anything of a doubtful nature.
The trial lasted for nearly a week.