Jeremy Poldark Read Free Page A

case as
passionatelyas he had feared.
    " Well, of course we're very unhappy about
it. I think I worry more than he does," " It will soon be here and
over now,, and a good chance of acquittal, I think."
    "D'you really think so, Sir John? That
comforts me greatly. You'll be in Bodmin yourself during the assizes?"
    " Um? Um? Well, that I don't know. Why do you
ask?"
    "I have heard tell there is to be an
election during September, and with the assizes on the sixth I thought you
might by chance be there."
    " You mean to help my brother? Oh, he's
well able to look after his seat The baronet glanced without trust at her
composed face as they re-entered the big room he used as an office. It wasn't
easy to guess what she was thinking. "Even if I was-in the town I should
have too much in hand to attend the court. Besides, with respect, ma'am, I
shouldn't wish to see an old friend in distress. Shall wish him well, of course
but no one wants to seek entertainment in the spectacle."
    We've heard tell there are to be two judges, she
said.
    Oh, not two to the case. Two will share the
assize between 'em,- I expect. Wentworth Lister, is not an ill fellow, though
it's years since we met. You'll have a fair trial, be sure of that: British
justice will see to it" The boar hound had come across, and he took a
sweet biscuit from a drawer and gave it to the dog.
    " It is fair puzzling to me," said
Demelza, " how a man - a judge-can come down all the way from upcountry
and listen to a case and get the hang of the rights and ways of it all in a few
hours. It don't seem possible to me. ; Does he not ever ask for the truth in
private before the case begins?"
    Sir John smiled. "You'll be surprised how
quickly a trained brain can sum up the true facts. And remember, it will not
depend upon the judge but upon the jury, and they are Cornish folk like
ourselves, so there's good cause to look on the bright side. Another sip of
port?"
    Demelza refused. " It's a little heady, I
suspicion. But very taking in flavour. When all this is over we'd like for you
to come and see us one day, sir. Ross asked me to say that."
    Sir John said he'd be charmed, and the dog
dropped crumbs from his biscuit all over the floor. Demelza rose to go.
    He added : " I shall pray for good results
from your treatment for Minta."
    So did Demelza, but she didn't show her doubts.
" Perhaps I might have news of her?".
    "Of course. I'll send word over. And in the
meantime ... should you be passing this way again - only too pleased."
    "Thank you, Sir John. I sometimes ride the
coast for my health. It is uneven for a good horse, but I, like the views and
the bracing air."
    Sir John went with her to the door-and helped
her to mount, admiring her slim figure and straight back. As she rode out of
the gates a man on a grey horse came in.
     
    "Who was that?" said Unwin
Trevaunance, dropping his grey riding gloves on top of a pile of tin cheques.
Sir John's younger brother did everything deliberately, giving consequence to
actions which hadn't any. Thirty-six or -seven, tall, lion-faced and masterful,
he was a much more impressive personality than the baronet. Yet Sir John made
money and Unwin did not.
    "Ross Poldark's wife. Attractive young
woman. Hadn't met her before.''
    What did she want?"
    That I don't yet know," said Sir John.
" She did not appear to want anything.'?
    Unwin had a cleft between his eyes, which
deepened when he frowned." Wasn't she his scullery maid or some
such?"
    "Others have risen before her, and with
fewer talents, I'd swear. She has a certain elegance already. In a few years it
will be hard to tell her from a woman of breeding."
    "And she came for nothing? I doubt it. To
me she looks a dangerous woman."
    Dangerous?"
    " We exchanged a, glance as she left. I'm
not unskilled in summing people up, John."
    Well, neither am I, Unwin, and 'I think I'll
take the risk. Sir John gave another biscuit to the hound." She has a
ready cure to offer for Minta, though rot me if I think