Albemarle heard her very patiently.
"If what you say is true, mistress," said he, "and God forbid that I should be so ungallant as to throw doubt upon a lady's word, it certainly explains--although most strangely--how the letter was not brought to us at once by your brother and his friend Sir Rowland.

You are prepared to swear that this letter was intended for Mr.Wilding ?" "I am prepared to swear it," she replied.
"This is very serious," said the Duke.
"Very serious," assented Sir Edward Phelips.
Albemarle, a little flustered, turned to his colleagues.

"What do you say to this?
Were it perhaps well to order Mr.Wilding's apprehension, and to have him brought hither ?" "It were to give yourselves useless trouble, gentlemen," said Trenchard, with so much assurance that it was plain Albemarle hesitated.
"Beware of Mr.Trenchard, Your Grace," cried Ruth.

"He is Mr.Wilding's friend, and if there is a plot he is sure to be in it." Albemarle, startled, looked at Trenchard.

Had the accusation come from either of the men the Duke would have silenced him and abused him; but coming from a woman, and so comely a woman, it seemed to His Grace worthy at least of consideration.