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144 should have done just the same. And now let us decide this important question. When Master Graham's ribs, arms, and collar bones are a little stronger, shall we ask him to come back to Noningsby?'

'If you please, papa.'

'Very well, we'll have him here for the assize week. Poor fellow, he'll have a hard job of work on hand just then, and won't have much time for philandering. With Chaffanbrass to watch him on his own side, and Leatherham on the other, I don't envy him his position. I almost think I should keep my arm in the sling till the assizes were over, by way of exciting a little pity.'

'Is Mr. Graham going to defend Lady Mason?'

'To help to do so, my dear.'

'But, papa, she is innocent; don't you feel sure of that?'

The judge was not quite so sure as he had been once. However, he said nothing of his doubts to Madeline. 'Mr. Graham's task on that account will only be the more trying if it becomes difficult to establish her innocence.'

'Poor lady!' said Madeline. 'You won't be the judge; will you, papa?'

'No, certainly not. I would have preferred to have gone any other circuit than to have presided in a case affecting so near a neighbour, and I may almost say a friend. Baron Maltby will sit in that court.'

'And will Mr. Graham have to do much, papa?'

'It will be an occasion of very great anxiety to him, no doubt.' And then they began to return home,—Madeline forming a little plan in her mind by which Mr. Furnival and Mr. Chaffanbrass were to fail absolutely in making out that lady's innocence, but the fact was to be established to the satisfaction of the whole court, and of all the world, by the judicious energy of Felix Graham.

On their homeward journey the judge again spoke of pictures and books, of failures and successes, and Madeline listened to him gratefully. But she did not again take much part in the conversation. She could not now express a very fluent opinion on any subject, and to tell the truth, could have been well satisfied to have been left entirely to her own thoughts. But just before they came out again upon the road, her father stopped her and asked a direct question. 'Tell me, Madeline, are you happy now?'

'Yes, papa.'

'That is right. And what you are to understand is this; Mr. Graham will now be privileged by your mother and me to address you. He has already asked my permission to do so, and I told him that I must consider the matter before I either gave it or withheld it. I shall now give him that permission.' Whereupon Madeline made her answer by a slight pressure upon his arm.