Why should she drag down his name with hers into the mud--unless it were absolutely necessary....

And she must remember how distressed Michael would be if she said a word, if she flung her good name from her, which he had risked all to save.

Some semblance of calm returned to her, as she thus reached the only conclusion which the bias of her mind would permit.

The stream ran docilely in the little groove cut out for it.
During the days and weeks that followed Fay shut herself up, and prayed incessantly for Michael.
She prayed all through the interminable interval before the trial.
"If it goes against him, I will speak," she said.
Yet all the time Michael who loved her knew that she would not speak.
Her husband who could have loved her, and who watched her struggle with compassion, knew that she would not speak.

Only Fay who did not know herself believed that she would speak.
* * * * * The day came when the duke gravely informed her that Michael was found guilty of murder.
Fay's prayers it seemed had not availed.