The deposition of Josephine Durand was read over by the clerk,
and she was asked if she had anything to add to it. She replied
in the negative. The justice then appealed to my mistress's
relation, the lawyer, to know if he could produce any evidence
relating to the charge against his clients.
"I have evidence," answered the lawyer, getting briskly on his
legs, "which I believe, sir, will justify me in asking for their
discharge."
"Where are your witnesses?" inquired the justice, looking hard at
Josephine while he spoke.
"One of them is in waiting, your worship," said Mr. Dark, opening
the door near which he was standing.
He went out of the room, remained away about a minute, and
returned with his witness at his heels.
My heart gave a bound as if it would jump out of my body. There,
with his long hair cut short, and his bushy whiskers shaved
off--there, in his own proper person, safe and sound as ever, was
Mr. James Smith!
The quadroon's iron nature resisted the shock of his unexpected
presence on the scene with a steadiness that was nothing short of
marvelous. Her thin lips closed together convulsively, and there
was a slight movement in the muscles of her throat. But not a
word, not a sign betrayed her. Even the yellow tinge of her
complexion remained unchanged.
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