It seemed to them to be so fitting a thing that
Providence should interfere directly to punish a town in which the
sins of the scarlet woman were not held to be abominable! But the
multitude were soon convinced that their member was innocent; and
as it was certain that he had been in great peril,--as it was known
that he was still in durance, and as it was necessary that the trial
should proceed, and that he should still stand at least for another
day in the dock,--he became more than ever a hero. Then came the
further delay, and at last the triumphant conclusion of the trial.
When acquitted, Phineas Finn was still member for Tankerville and
might have walked into the House on that very night. Instead of doing
so he had at once asked for the accustomed means of escape from his
servitude, and the seat for Tankerville was vacant. The most loving
friends of Mr. Browborough perceived at once that there was not
a chance for him. The borough was all but unanimous in resolving
that it would return no one as its member but the man who had been
unjustly accused of murder.
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