Out of her sphere - University Library

192 OUT OF HER SPHERE.
no doubt whatever. It is possible that I
may be mistaken, but my impression is that
I am not. And as to an indictment for
perjury, that would hardly affect me, if you
remember that I only swore according to
the best of my belief I do n't at all expect
we shall ever see or hear more of the late
Mrs. Thornton. Dead people can't come to
life again. But if she does, I think you'll
find it very hard to have me punished for
what, after all, would be an error any one
might fall into imder the circumstances."
She was not to be frightened—that was
clear. He did not believe her ; nay, he felt
sure that she did not expect him to do so
but the lie answered her purpose sufficiently
when she showed him that she was pre-
pared to stand by it, and had no fear of the
consequences. He reiterated his assertion
that it was not Mrs. Thornton who had
been found in the Fort ; to which she re-
plied, that he could hardly be as good a
;