"Was he at Rose Cottage
on the night in question?"
"No. He was not there. I did not see him."
"Yet he was at the Marlow Theatre with you."
"Yes. He left the theatre before I did."
"Sit down, Juliet, and tell me exactly how you came to be at
Rose Cottage on that night and why you went."
Miss Saxon seated herself and told all she knew. "It was this
way," she said, with more calmness than she had hitherto
shown. "Basil and I went to see this new melodrama written by
Mr. Arkwright--"
"What? The man Mrs. Octagon wishes you to marry?"
"Yes. He has written a play to make money. My mother was
angry, as she thought such a thing was not worthy of him. He
sent her a box. She refused to go, so Basil and I went. But
the play was so dull that Basil left early, saying he would
come back for me."
"Do you know where he went?"
"No. He did not say. Well, the play became worse instead of
better. I was weary to death, so I thought as the theatre was
near Rexton, that I would go and see Aunt Selina. Then I
hoped to return to the box and meet Basil. I was told the
play, being a long one, would not be over till midnight. I
left the theatre at a quarter past ten. It took fifteen
minutes to drive to the cottage. Then I entered quietly to
give aunt a surprise."
"Ah! It was you opening the door that Thomas heard."
"Yes! At half-past ten; I had a latch-key. Aunt Selina loved
me very much and wanted me to come and see her whenever I
could.
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