The horrible catastrophe had been averted.

To a man of Michael's temperament the living grave to which he was consigned was infinitely worse than death.

But what was Michael's temperament to Fay?
She shut her eyes to the cell of an Italian prison.

Michael would live, and in time the truth would come to light, and he would be released.
She impressed this conviction with tears on his half-brother Wentworth Maine, the kind, silent elder brother, Michael's greatest friend, who had come out to Italy to be near him, and who heard sentence given against him with a set face, and an unshaken belief in his innocence.
Even to Wentworth Michael had said nothing, could be induced to say no word.

He confessed to the murder.