vide
for the asylum at St. Herbert's, and on her monthly payment to him of
the sums entered in the account-book. In some cases she knew he had
shown her the bills unreceipted; in others, he had simply made the
charge in the book, and she had given to him the amount that he
estimated as requisite for the materials for wood-engraving. So far she
felt satisfied that she was making herself distinctly understood, but
the prisoner, acting as his own counsel, now turned to her and asked the
question she had expected and was prepared for, whether she could refer
to any written agreement.

"No; it was a viva voce agreement."

Could she mention what passed at the time of making the arrangement that
she had stated as existing between himself and her?

"I described my plans, and you consented."

An answer at which some of the audience could have smiled, so well did
it accord with her habits. The prisoner again insisted on her defining
the mode of his becoming bound to the agreement. Rachel took time for
consideration, and Alison Williams, sitting between Lady Temple and
Colonel Keith, felt dizzy with anxiety for the answer. It came at last.

"I do not remember the exact words; but you acquiesced in the appearance
of your name as secretary and treasurer."

The prospectus was here brought forward, and Mauleverer asked her to
define the duties he had been supposed to undertake in the character in
which he had there figured. It of course came out that she had been her
own treasurer, only entrusting the nominal one with the amount required
for current expenses, and again, in reply to his deferential questions,
she was obliged to acknowledge that he had never in so many words
declared the sums entered in the book to have been actually paid, and
not merely estimates for monthly expenditure to be paid to the tradesmen
at the usual seasons.

"I understood that they were paid," said Rachel, with some resentment.

"Will you oblige me by mentioning on what that understanding was
founded?" said the prisoner, blandly.

There was a pause. Rachel knew she must say something; but memory
utterly failed to recall any definite assurance that these debts had
been discharged. Time passed, all eyes were upon her, there was a dire
necessity of reply, and though perfectly conscious of the weakness and
folly of her utterance, she could only falter forth, "I thought so."
The being the Clever Woman of the family, only rendered her the more
sensible