Page 44 of Murder in Highbury

Or, much worse, blurt out something incriminating.Miss Bates was behaving as if she had something to hide—which Emma was quite certain she did.

George leaned forward to address the coroner in a low voice. “Dr. Hughes, might I suggest that you conclude your questions now? You have already recorded Miss Bates’s testimony from your interview the other day.”

Dr. Hughes looked disgruntled. “I have only one more question for Miss Bates, sir.”

George narrowed his gaze in warning before giving a nod.

By now, Miss Bates had recovered somewhat. When Dr. Hughes turned back to address her, she even managed a semblance of a smile.

“Madam, we have your written testimony,” he said, “but there is one additional point that has not been adequately addressed.”

“Yes, Dr. Hughes?” she faintly replied.

“Have you recently had a quarrel or a falling-out with Mrs. Elton?”

Miss Bates stifled a gasp and had to struggle to reply. “Mrs. Elton has always been such a dear friend to us—to me and, of course, to our dear Jane. I have never forgotten her kindness to Jane. Such attentions she gave to her, such . . . such consideration. It was beyond anything. I never saw anything like it before in my life.” She turned pleading eyes on Mr. Elton. “Such a good, generous woman, your wife. One can hardly imagine quarreling with her. Dear Mr. Elton, you cannot imagine that we would be anything but grateful to your dear wife. She was the most magnanimous soul . . . always so generous—”

“Miss Bates, you will address me or the jury,” Dr. Hughes interrupted.

When the poor woman shrank back in her chair, Emma was hard put not to rush forward and box the pompous man’s ears.

“Emma, Emma,” her father exclaimed. “This harassment must stop. Mr. Knightley, you must make it stop!”

This set the room into something of an uproar. One fellow, dressed in the humble garb of a farmworker, jumped to his feet.

“You leave the poor lady alone, Dr. Grumbleguts,” he yelled. “It ain’t right to treat her like that.”

“Sit down, you fool,” snapped a fellow sitting behind him. “The doctor is just doing his job.”

The room now threatened to dissolve into complete disorder. Dr. Hughes and Constable Sharpe commenced shouting at the crowd, which only increased the din.

With an exasperated sigh, George rose.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he called out. “I would ask that you please come to order, so that this business may proceed to its conclusion. The sooner we finish, the sooner Miss Bates may step down, which is something we all wish.”

The hubbub subsided as he scanned the room with a stern gaze. As the largest landowner and the local magistrate, George would always command respect. But the true source of his influence was his sterling character. When he spoke, people listened, because he spoke only when he had something worthwhile to say, and only when he could say it with absolute truth.

Within a few moments, order was restored.

“Dr. Hughes,” George said, turning to the coroner. “Are you now finished with Miss Bates?”

“The jury must have the opportunity to pose questions now,” replied the doctor. “As per proper procedure.”

George blew out an exasperated breath before resuming his seat.

“Is the jury truly allowed to do that?” Emma murmured.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Gentlemen, do you have any questions for the witness?” Dr. Hughes asked the jury.

One man, whom Emma didn’t recognize, raised a hand. “I do, Your Honor.”

Dr. Hughes was clearly pleased to be addressed with such a flattering honorific. “Go ahead, my good man.”

“I don’t fathom why Miss Bates ran when she heard the voices of the other ladies. She knew them, didn’t she?”

“That is correct,” the coroner replied.