I allude, it is needless to say, to her having invited the governess--then out of harm's way; then employed elsewhere--to return to her house, and to risk (what actually occurred) a meeting with Mr.Herbert Linley when no third person happened to be present.

I know that the maternal motive which animated Mrs.Linley is considered, by many persons, to excuse and even to justify that most regrettable act; and I have myself allowed (I fear weakly allowed) more than due weight to this consideration in pronouncing for the Divorce.
Let me express the earnest hope that Mrs.Linley will take warning by what has happened; and, if she finds herself hereafter placed in other circumstances of difficulty, let me advise her to exercise more control over impulses which one might expect perhaps to find in a young girl, but which are neither natural nor excusable in a woman of her age." His lordship then decreed the Divorce in the customary form, giving the custody of the child to the mother.
* * * * * As fast as a hired carriage could take him, Mr.Sarrazin drove from the court to Mrs.Linley's lodgings, to tell her that the one great object of securing her right to her child had been achieved.
At the door he was met by Mrs.Presty.She was accompanied by a stranger, whose medical services had been required.

Interested professionally in hearing the result of the trial, this gentleman volunteered to communicate the good news to his patient.

He had been waiting to administer a composing draught, until the suspense from which Mrs.Linley was suffering might be relieved, and a reasonable hope be entertained that the medicine would produce the right effect.

With that explanation he left the room.
While the doctor was speaking, Mrs.Presty was drawing her own conclusions from a close scrutiny of Mr.Sarrazin's face.
"I am going to make a disagreeable remark," she announced.