CHAPTER XVI.
The end of the conference was that Mr.Strafford started alone for the jail, while Mrs.Costello and Mrs.Bellairs went together to Mr.Leigh, to explain to him the new state of affairs; and after that, drove back to Cacouna, whither Lucia also was to follow later.

Mr.Strafford could at that time spare but one day for his friends.

He was to leave by the evening's boat; and the Cottage was for the present to be deserted, except by Margery.
Mr.Strafford was admitted with, if possible, even less hesitation than usual to Christian's room.

Every one understood now that the prisoner was entirely innocent, and in the revulsion of feeling, every one was disposed to treat with all tenderness and honour as a martyr the very man who, if he had never been falsely accused, they would probably have regarded only with disgust or contempt.
Not that there was room for either feeling _now_.

It was as if this man's history had been written from beginning to end, and then the ink washed from all the middle pages.