Then the Senechal said
very kindly, "I perceive we are getting on to somewhat delicate ground,
Mr. Gard, but, for your own sake. I would suggest that no occasion
should be given to any to say that you are hiding anything from the
court."
"Very well, sir, I have nothing whatever to hide, and I have still less
to be ashamed of. I found Miss Hamon was weeping bitterly at what her
brother had said, and I tried to get her to tell me what it was, but she
would not. I said I knew it was something against me, but I hoped by
this time she had learned to know and trust me. I told her her sobs cut
me to the heart and that I would give my life to save her from trouble.
In a word, I told her I loved her, and in the excitement of the moment
she dropped a word or two that gave me an inkling of what Tom had said.
It was casting dirt at both her and myself. Then, as I came home, I met
Tom as I have told you."
The Senechal considered the matter for a moment. He did not for one
moment believe that Gard had had any hand in the killing of Tom Hamon.
But he could not but perceive the hostile feeling that was abroad, and
his desire was, if possible, to allay it.
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