rtainly not occurred to him. When he was
led down from the dock he hardly knew whither he was being taken, and
when he found himself in a small room attached to the Court, clasped
on one arm by Mr. Low and on the other by Lord Chiltern, he did not
know what they would propose to him,--nor had he considered what
answer he would make to any proposition. "At last you are safe," said
Mr. Low.

"But think what he has suffered," said Lord Chiltern.

Phineas looked round to see if there was any other friend present.
Certainly among all his friends he had thought most of her who had
travelled half across Europe for evidence to save him. He had seen
Madame Goesler last on the evening preceding the night of the murder,
and had not even heard from her since. But he had been told what she
had done for him, and now he had almost fancied that he would have
found her waiting for him. He smiled first at the one man and then
at the other, and made an effort to carry himself with his ordinary
tranquillity. "It will be all right now, I dare say," he said. "I
wonder whether I could have a glass of water."

He sat down while the water was brought to him, and his two friends
stood over him, hardly knowing how to do more than support him by
their presence.

Then Lord Cantrip made his way into the room. He had sat on the bench
to the last, whereas the other two had gone down to receive the
prisoner when acquitted;--and with him came Sir Harry Coldfoot, the
Home Secretary. "My friend," said the former, "the bitter day has
passed over you, and I hope that the bitterness will soon pass away
also." Phineas again attempted to smile as he held the hand of the
man with whom he had formerly been associated in office.

"I should not intrude, Mr. Finn," said Sir Harry, "did I not feel
myself bound in a special manner to express my regret at the great
trouble to which you have been subjected." Phineas rose, and
bowed stiffly. He had conceived that every one connected with the
administration of the law had believed him to be guilty, and none in
his present mood could be dear to him but they who from the beginning
trusted in his innocence. "I am requested by Mr. Gresham," continued
Sir Harry, "to express to you his entire sympathy, and his joy that
all this is at last over." Phineas tried to make some little speech,
but utterly failed. Then Sir Harry left them, and he burst out into
tears.

"Who can be surprised?" said Lord Cantrip. "The marvel is