It was the theory,--the
principle for which he combated, declaring that the evil condition
of the man himself was due to the evil institutions among which he
had been reared. By degrees evidence had been obtained of Scrobby's
guilt in the matter of the red herrings, and he was to be tried for
the offence of putting down poison. Goarly was to be the principal
witness against his brother conspirator. Lord Rufford, instigated
by his brother-in-law, and liking the spirit of the man, had
invited the Senator to stay at the Hall while the case was being
tried at the Rufford Quarter Sessions. I am afraid the invitation
was given in a spirit of triumph over the Senator rather than with
genuine hospitality. It was thought well that the American should
be made to see in public the degradation of the abject creature
with whom he had sympathised. Perhaps there were some who thought
that in this way they would get the Senator's neck under their
heels. If there were such they were likely to be mistaken, as the
Senator was not a man prone to submit himself to such treatment.
He was seated at table with Lady Penwether and Miss Penge when Lord
Rufford and his brother-in-law came into the room, after parting
with Miss Trefoil in the manner described in the last chapter. Lady
Penwether had watched their unwelcome visitor as she took her way
across the park and had whispered something to Miss Penge.
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