"I - I - am so overwhelmed by the amazing falsehood with which Miss
Armytage has attempted to save me from the predicament in which I
stand. For it is that, gentlemen. On my oath as a soldier and a
gentleman, there is not a word of truth in what Miss Armytage has
said."

"But if there were," said Lord Wellington, who seemed the only
person present to retain a cool command of his wits, "your honour
as a soldier and a gentleman - and this lady's honour - must still
demand of you the perjury."

"But, my lord, I protest - "

"You are interrupting me, I think," Lord Wellington rebuked him
coldly, and under the habit of obedience and the magnetic eye of
his lordship the captain lapsed into anguished silence.

"I am of opinion, gentlemen," his lordship addressed the court,
"that this affair has gone quite far enough. Miss Armytage's
testimony has saved a deal of trouble. It has shed light upon much
that was obscure, and it has provided Captain Tremayne with an
unanswerable alibi. In my view - and without wishing unduly to
influence the court in its decision - it but remains to pronounce
Captain Tremayne's acquittal, thereby enabling him to fulfil towards
this lady a duty which the circumstances would seem to have rendered
somewhat urgent."

They were words that lifted an intolerable burden from Sir Harry's
shoulders.