was well that the jury should hear
in order that they might thereby be assisted in coming to a true
decision. It had been hinted in his hearing, both by Chaffanbrass and
Aram, that this man was probably in league with Dockwrath, and Aram
had declared with a sneer that he was a puzzle-pated old fellow. He
might be puzzle-pated, and had already shown that he was bashful and
unhappy in his present position; but he had shown also, as Graham
thought, that he was anxious to tell the truth.

And, moreover, Graham had listened with all his mind to the
cross-examination of Dockwrath, and he was filled with disgust--with
disgust, not so much at the part played by the attorney as at that
played by the barrister. As Graham regarded the matter, what had the
iniquities and greed of Dockwrath to do with it? Had reason been
shown why the statement made by Dockwrath was in itself unworthy of
belief,--that that statement was in its own essence weak,--then the
character of the man making it might fairly affect its credibility.
But presuming that statement to be wrong,--presuming that it was
corroborated by other evidence, how could it be affected by any
amount of villainy on the part of Dockwrath? All that Chaffanbrass
had done or attempted was to prove that Dockwrath had had his own
end to serve. Who had ever doubted it? But not a word had been said,
not a spark of evidence elicited, to show that the man had used a
falsehood to further those views of his. Of all this the mind of
Felix Graham had been full; and now, as he rose to take his own share
of the work, his wit was at work rather in opposition to Lady Mason
than on her behalf.

This Torrington was a little old man, and Graham had watched how his
hands had trembled when Sir Richard first addressed him. But Sir
Richard had been very kind,--as was natural to his own witness, and
the old man had gradually regained his courage. But now as he turned
his face round to the side where he knew that he might expect to
find an enemy, that tremor again came upon him, and the stick which
he held in his hand was heard as it tapped gently against the side
of the witness-box. Graham, as he rose to his work, saw that Mr.
Chaffanbrass had fixed his eye upon him, and his courage rose the
higher within him as he felt the gaze of the man whom he so much
disliked. Was it within the compass of his heart to bully an old man
because such a one as Chaffanbrass desired it of him? By heaven, no!

He first