was sent down to Portray, but the confidential
clerk altogether failed in making his way into Lizzie's presence.
Word was brought to him that nothing but force could take Lady
Eustace from her bed-chamber; and that force used to that effect
might take her out dead, but certainly not alive. He made inquiry,
however, about the doctor, and found that he certainly was a doctor.
If a doctor will certify that a lady is dying, what can any judge
do, or any jury? There are certain statements which, though they are
false as hell, must be treated as though they were true as gospel.
The clerk reported, when he got back to London, that, to his belief,
Lady Eustace was enjoying an excellent state of health;--but that he
was perfectly certain that she would not appear as a witness at the
trial.

The anger felt by many persons as to Lizzie's fraudulent obstinacy
was intense. Mr. Camperdown thought that she ought to be dragged up
to London by cart ropes. The attorneys engaged for the prosecution
were almost beside themselves. They did send down a doctor of their
own, but Lizzie would not see the doctor,--would not see the doctor
though threats of most frightful consequences were conveyed to her.
She would be exposed, fined thousands of pounds, committed to gaol
for contempt of court, and prosecuted for perjury into the bargain.
But she was firm. She wrote one scrap of a note to the doctor
who came from London, "I shall not live to satisfy their rabid
vengeance." Even Frank Greystock felt almost more annoyed than
gratified that she should be able thus to escape. People who had
heard of the inquiry before the magistrate, had postponed their
excitement and interest on the occasion, because they knew that
the day of the trial would be the great day; and when they heard
that they were to be robbed of the pleasure of Lady Eustace's
cross-examination, there arose almost a public feeling of wrath
that justice should be thus outraged. The doctor who had given the
certificate was vilified in the newspapers, and long articles were
written as to the impotence of the law. But Lizzie was successful,
and the trial went on without her.

It appeared that though her evidence was very desirable it was not
absolutely essential, as, in consequence of her certified illness,
the statement which she had made at the police-court could be brought
up and used against the prisoners. All the facts of the robbery
were, moreover, proved by Patience Crabstick and