The Dead Alive

t Morwick Farm. In six weeks the court for the tr

no new event of any

r the opening of the court approached, he seemed to falter a little in his resolution; his manner became restless; and he grew irritably suspicious about the merest trifles. This change did not necessarily imply the consciousness of guilt: it might merely have indicated natural nervous agitation as the time for the trial drew near. Naomi noticed the alteration in her lover. It greatly increased her anxiety, though it never shook her confidence in Ambrose. Except at meal-times, I was left, during the period of which I am now writing, almost constantly alone with the charmi

onfession of Silas Meadowcroft, the grand jury found a true bill against both th

ind for the decision of the grand

y that time.” She paused, and looked at the day’s letters lying on the table. “Still not a word about John Jago,”

ure that he is livin

he jury —” She stopped, shuddering. Death — shameful death on the scaffold — might be the terrible result of the consultation of the jury. “We have waited for news to come to us long enough

knew nothing would come of it)

mplated search. How that search was to be conducted was more than I could tell, and more than Naomi could tell. We were to begin by applying t

ssion to the prison, and the order was for the first time refused; no reason being assigned by the per

s one of Naomi’s many admirers. He solved the mystery cautiously in a whisper. The sheriff and the governor of the prison were then speaking privat

e farm. There Naomi, speaking by chance to one

duced by the friend. Leaving the farm, the sheriff had gone straight to the prison, and had proceeded with the governor to visit Ambrose in his cell. Was some potent influence being brought privately t

y enlightened us in a very unexpected manner. Before noon, th

erer of John Jago! He had signed the confession in the p

his offense against the law from murder to manslaughter. Was the confession really the true statement of what had taken place? or had the sheriff and the governor, acting in the interests of the family name, persuaded Am

et, I felt an invincible reluctance to be the person who revealed Ambrose Meadowcroft’s degradation to his betrothed wife. Ha

g. I tried to find Naomi, without success. She had been always accessible at other times. Was she hiding herself from me now? The idea occurred to me as I was descending the stairs after

d detained her. With her free hand she held her ha

d you,” I said to her, gently. “

et away, and still kept

o look you in the face?” she said,

I drew her to the window-seat. I said I w

hands on her lap. Her downcast eyes s

lf by loving Ambrose Meadowcroft?” She shuddered as the idea found its way to expression on her

ut the confession before her

He has done this, despairing of proving h

ned her face on me with the deep-red flush of sham

ill never speak to him again!” She pushed me furiously away from her; advanced a few steps toward her own door; stopped, and came back to me. The generous nature of the girl spoke in her

re I was aware of her, and kisse

his confession; I forgot the coming trial; I forgot my professional duties and my English friends. There I sat, in a fool’s elysiu

in love with her. I merely add this