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Chapter VI. The Inquest
Infact,theywouldbemoreaudiblewhereyouwerethaninthehall.”
“Possibly.”
“Willyourepeattouswhatyouoverheardofthequarrel?”
“Ireallydonotrememberhearinganything.”
“Doyoumeantosayyoudidnothearvoices?”
“Oh,yes,Iheardthevoices,butIdidnothearwhattheysaid.”Afaintspotofcolourcameintohercheek.“Iamnotinthehabitoflisteningtoprivateconversations.”
TheCoronerpersisted.
“Andyouremembernothingatall?Nothing,Mrs.Cavendish?Notonestraywordorphrasetomakeyourealizethatitwasaprivateconversation?”
Shepaused,andseemedtoreflect,stilloutwardlyascalmasever.
“Yes;Iremember.Mrs.Inglethorpsaidsomething—Idonotrememberexactlywhat—aboutcausingscandalbetweenhusbandandwife.”
“Ah!”theCoronerleantbacksatisfied.“ThatcorrespondswithwhatDorcasheard.Butexcuseme,Mrs.Cavendish,althoughyourealizeditwasaprivateconversation,youdidnotmoveaway?Youremainedwhereyouwere?”
Icaughtthemomentarygleamofhertawnyeyesassheraisedthem.Ifeltcertainthatatthatmomentshewouldwillinglyhavetornthelittlelawyer,withhisinsinuations,intopieces,butsherepliedquietlyenough:
“No.IwasverycomfortablewhereIwas.Ifixedmymindonmybook.”
“Andthatisallyoucantellus?”
“Thatisall.”
Theexaminationwasover,thoughIdoubtediftheCoronerwasentirelysatisfiedwithit.IthinkhesuspectedthatMaryCavendishcouldtellmoreifshechose.
