"Yes, I believe it."
She did not speak at all for the best part of a moment. Then she gave a
heavy sigh.
"After all," she said, "the thing that affects us is the death. He is
dead. The inevitable has overtaken him. It scarcely matters how it
happened--at least not now--not to me."
"Pardon me," I interrupted, "it matters a great deal how it happened.
The cause of your son's death will be a question of anxious
investigation--of the gravest and most searching inquiries. I fully
believe the story which Carleton told us last night, but there are
others who will--who must--suspect him of foul play. Is it possible,
Lady Hartmore--is it in any way within the province of woman, so
completely to forget herself in this moment of terrible anguish, as to
live for another? You can do nothing now for the dead, but you can do
much, very much, for the living."
"You mean for my husband?" she inquired.
"Not alone for your husband--not even principally for him. You can do
much for the man who will be accused of the crime of having murdered
your son. I can only repeat my firm conviction of his innocence, but
the grounds for my belief, at present, go for nothing; circumstances
prove a grave case against him. Your son, to all appearance, was
much attached to the girl whom Carleton loved and loves. Yesterday
morning Carleton received what he considered a final rejection from
Miss Farnham. She spent the day with your son; she gave him every
encouragement. Carleton was morose, gloomy, jealous. His jealousy and
gloom were noticed by every member of our party. Carleton and your son
both absented themselves from the drawing-room after dinner. It was
during that time that the accident, which deprived your son of his
life, took place. There will, of course, be a coroner's inquest. At
the inquest the circumstances which I have just alluded to will come
out, and there is no question but that Carleton will be arrested on
suspicion and sent to trial--unless, indeed, you will help me."
"How can I help you?" she asked. "What am I to do? You ask me to share
your belief, which seems to me to be based on nothing. Suppose I cannot
share it?"