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"I could not; I did not know; but since I heard I have been doing everything in my power"
"It was your husband who--"
"Yes," replied Mrs Arnot, sadly, coht her friend's unfinished sentence "But I had no part in the act, and no knowledge of it until a short ti all I can to procure your son's speedy release My husband's action has been perfectly legal, and ould teal way Permit me to introduce you to my friend, Mr Melville He can both advise us and carry out such arrangements as are necessary;" and Mrs Haldane saw that Mrs Arnot was accoentleman, whom in her distress she had not hitherto noticed
The janitor now opened the door, and ushered them into a very plain apartment, used both as an office and reception-room Mrs Haldane was so overcome by her emotion that her friend led her to a chair, and continued her reassuring words in a low voice designed for her ears alone: "Mr Melville is a lawyer, and kno to ive security for your son's future appearance, should it be necessary, and I am quite satisfied it will not be, as my husband has promised me that he will not prosecute if the money is refunded"
"I would have paid ten ti rather than have suffered this public disgrace," sobbed the poor woht, dwelt more upon the consequent shame of her son's act than its ive bail in his own name for me," resumed Mrs Arnot, "as, of course, I do not wish to appear to be acting in opposition tothat soement should be made He has very id rules Mr Melville assures bert's release Perhaps it will save you pain to go at once to our house and , "I wish to see hio to the place which shelters your husband I can never forgive hio to a hotel I would rather stay in this prison until I can hide myself and my miserable son in our own home Oh, how dark and dreadful are God's ways! To think that the boy that I had brought up in the Church, as it were, should show such unnatural depravity!" Then, stepping to the door, she said to the under-sheriff in waiting, "Please take me to my son at once, if possible"