If you had been a man, you would have made a good lawyer--
you would have taken juries by the scruff of their necks.
Complete the case, my good lady--complete the case.
Tell us next who sent you this letter, enclosing the bank-note.
The "two wretches" who murdered Mr. Ferrari would hardly put
their hands in their pockets and send you a thousand pounds.
Who is it--eh? I see the post-mark on the letter is "Venice."
Have you any friend in that interesting city, with a large heart,
and a purse to correspond, who has been let into the secret and who wishes
to console you anonymously?'

It was not easy to reply to this. Mrs. Ferrari began to feel
the first inward approaches of something like hatred towards Mr. Troy.
'I don't understand you, sir,' she answered. 'I don't think this is
a joking matter.'

Agnes interfered, for the first time. She drew her chair a little
nearer to her legal counsellor and friend.

'What is the most probable explanation, in your opinion?'
she asked.

'I shall offend Mrs. Ferrari if I tell you,' Mr. Troy answered.

'No, sir, you won't!' cried Mrs. Ferrari, hating Mr. Troy
undisguisedly by this time.

The lawyer leaned back in his chair. 'Very well,' he said, in his
most good-humoured manner. 'Let's have it out. Observe, madam,
I don't dispute your view of the position of affairs at the palace