Looking at all the evidence as best he could, and
listening to the opinions of others, the Duke did think that Phineas
had been guilty. The murder had clearly been committed by a personal
enemy, not by a robber. Two men were known to have entertained
feelings of enmity against Mr. Bonteen; as to one of whom he was
assured that it was impossible that he should have been on the spot.
As to the other it seemed equally manifest that he must have been
there. If it were so, it would have been much better that his wife
should not display her interest publicly in the murderer's favour.
But the Duchess, wherever she went, spoke of the trial as a
persecution; and seemed to think that the prisoner should already be
treated as a hero and a martyr. "Glencora," he said to her, "I wish
that you could drop the subject of this trial till it be over."
"But I can't."
"Surely you can avoid speaking of it."
"No more than you can avoid your decimals. Out of the full heart the
mouth speaks, and my heart is very full. What harm do I do?"
"You set people talking of you.
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