a herself is nearing the age when a woman begins to yearn for
beauty and youth. There's one thing I will say for her, though, she
seems, to be hard hit. I never saw the man Carlotta would turn her
little finger over for before, and she's going in for acquittal with
all she's got."

"It's scandalous, that's what it is!" I heard the first speaker bring
down his fist on his open palm.

"Oh, I don't know," the other said. "I think it's pretty decent of
her, and she may manage it. Great is Carlotta!'"

They moved away, and I sat still, staring stupidly at the back of
Johnny Montgomery's head. The cool callous tones of the men knocked on
my heart like blows. I was amazed at the familiar way they spoke of
the Spanish Woman, in spite of all her dignity, and commanding beauty;
but to hear them speaking of Johnny Montgomery as if he belonged too
her was intolerable. It was ridiculous! Of course it might be that
she was interested in his case, might even be in love with him; but
that he should care for her--

I was so unnerved that I didn't notice father's reappearance until he
leaned over and touched my arm.

"You will probably be called next," he said. Then, he must have felt
me trembling and supposed it to be nervousness. "Remember, for the
honor of the family," he whispered, smiling.

The lawyers and the men who had been writing were all coming back to
their places; and then Mr. Dingley hurried in, and down the aisle to
where we were.

"My dear Fred," he began; and then I couldn't hear any more, because he
pulled father by the arm until they stood a little farther off from me,
where they talked very earnestly for some moments. Father looked
perfectly disgusted.

"Next time, be very sure before you order our presence in court," he
said as he came back to his chair. "I am capable of great
disagreeableness, as you know."

Mr. Dingley smiled and rubbed his hands, and said these little
unexpected things would turn up. Then, as the judge was coming into
the room, he hastened back into his place. Father threw his coat over
his arm and said, "Come along, Ellie."

"What is the matter?" I asked.

"Oh, one of their infernal technical hitches. After insisting on your
presence this morning, your testimony is not required."

I got up very slowly. I couldn't resist sending one glance toward
where Johnny Montgomery was sitting, and as I did so he turned his
head. It was the same quiet gaze he had given me bef