She told me the whole story which she told her husband. 'He
refused to believe me, Captain Copplestone,' she said; 'he who once
loved me so dearly refused to believe me. So I come to you, his best
and oldest friend, in the hope that you may think better of me; and
that some day, when I am far away, and time has softened my husband's
heart towards me, you may speak a good word in my behalf.' And I did
believe her. Yes, Mr. Eversleigh--or Sir Reginald Eversleigh--I did,
and I do, believe that lady."
"Captain Copplestone," said the coroner; "we really do not require all
these particulars; the question is--when did Lady Eversleigh enter your
rooms, and when did she quit them?"
"She came to me at dusk, and she did not leave my rooms until the next
morning, after the discovery of my poor friend's death. When she had
told me her story, and her intention of leaving the castle immediately,
I begged her to remain until the next day. She would be safe in my
rooms, I told her. No one but myself and my old servant would know that
she had not really left the castle; and the next day, when Sir Oswald's
passion had been calmed by reflection, I should be able, perhaps, to
intercede successfully for the wife whose innocence I most implicitly
believed, in spite of all the circumstances that had conspired to
condemn her. Lady Eversleigh knew my influence over her husband; and,
after some persuasion, consented to take my advice.
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