once more "taken in." "If you had confided in me at first, Mr. Chapman,"
he said, pathetically, "or even if now, I could aid you in an honest way
of life!"

"Aid him--now!" said Williams, with a snort. "At it again! you're not
a man: you're an angel!"

"But if he is penitent, Williams."

"So! so! so!" murmured Waife. "Thank Heaven it was not he who spoke
against me: it was but a strange woman. Oh!" he suddenly broke off with
a groan. "Oh--but that strange woman,--who, what can she be? and Sophy
with her and him. Distraction! Yes, yes, I take the money. I shall
want it all. Sir Isaac, pick up that bag. Gentlemen, good day to you!"
He bowed; such a failure that bow! Nothing ducal in it! bowed and
turned towards the door; then, when he gained the threshold, as if some
meeker, holier thought restored to him dignity of bearing, his form rose,
though his face softened, and stretching his right hand towards the
Mayor, he said, "You did but as all perhaps would have done on the
evidence before you. You meant to be kind to her."

"If you knew all, how you would repent! I do not blame,--I forgive you."

He was gone: the Mayor stood transfixed. Even Williams felt a cold
comfortless thrill. "He does not look like it," said the foreman.
"Cheer up, sir, no wonder you were taken in: who would not have been?"

"Hark! that hoot again. Go, Williams, don't let the men insult him. Go,
do,--I shall be grateful."