Willcoxen, who has the right to claim it of
me when he pleases," and turning around she moved toward the dock,
raising her eyes to Thurston's face, and offering her hand.
How he met that look--how he clasped that hand--need not be said--their
hearts were too full for speech.
The tumult in the court-room was at length subdued by the rising of the
judge to make a speech--a very brief one:
"Mr. Willcoxen is discharged, and the court adjourned," and then the
judge came down from his seat, and the officers cried, "make way for the
court to pass." And the way was made. The judge came up to the group,
and shook hands first with Mr. Willcoxen, whom he earnestly
congratulated, and then with Marian, who was an old and esteemed
acquaintance, and so bowing gravely, he passed out.
Still the crowd pressed on, and among them came Commodore Waugh and his
family, for whom way was immediately made.
Mrs. Waugh wept and smiled, and exclaimed: "Oh! Hebe! Oh! Lapwing!"
The commodore growled out certain inarticulate anathemas, which he
intended should be taken as congratulations, since the people seemed to
expect it of him.
And Mary L'Oiseau pulled down her mouth, cast up her eyes and crossed
herself when she saw the consecrated hand of Sister Theresa clasped in
that of Cloudy!
But Thurston's high spirit could not brook this scene an instant longer.
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