Out of her sphere - University Library

138 OUT OF HER SPHERE.
which Audley Dale, in his haste, had sent
to Mrs. Thornton, and handed it to the
jury as desired. The coroner and they
read it, and then looked ominously at
Audley Dale, who stood there, amazed
beyond expression that his name should
thus be mixed up in the matter, but with-
out a thought of the deadlier evil impend-
ing over him.
Things had taken an awkward turn.
The coroner felt it. The next question he
had to put was one that must appear to
criminate Mr. Audley Dale, and the coroner
had naturally a much greater reluctance to
criminate a gentleman in Audley's position,
and an officer in the army, than he would
have had to impugn any one in a lower
sphere ;
but the mayor, who was present,
now asked leave to put a question to the
witness, and, producing the anonymous
note he had received, asked whether she
had sent him that. Clare looked at it, and