The Trial of Angelique

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Millicent,Daniel agreeing that it would be best to head back to New York [i]post haste[/i], a coachman is hired to begin the journey. The closest city of considerable size to the village of Collinsport is Bangor -- itself a very small place compared to New York, of course -- which lies some fifty miles away, so even this first step in the direction of proper civilization will require a full day's travel, at least. Thus, rising very early, the excursion begins before the sun is yet visible over the horizon. Daniel, displaying signs of his youthfulness, soon falls asleep as the coach bumps its way over rough paths that can hardly be called roads. It is not much longer before a wordless shout from the coachman, the shrieks of the single horse, and the sudden stopping of the vehicle, wakes him. Peering out the small opening which serves as a window, Daniel grows pale. "You do not wish to see this, dear sister. Take my hand, and we shall make our way back to Collinsport on foot." It is not necessary to make inquiry as to why they cannot ride, as there are no longer the breathy sounds one always hears when in the presence of a living horse.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Nathan,Varied emotions are revealed in Angelique's countenance during your conference with her defender and husband. There is, first of all, puzzlement; then relief and gratitude, followed by a brief nod of acknowledgement. "I shall do everything in my power to see that you are rewarded for your courage and honesty," remarks Barnabas. "Yes," Angelique says. Is there the slightest trace of amusement in her slight smile? "You shall be rewarded."

[SunlessNick]

"Mr. Forbes," he begins, asking his first question, "did you witness the defendant give the music box to Miss Josette DuPres?"

"That is correct, sir," says Nathan. "She made no secret of the gift."

[SunlessNick]

Millicent,Daniel agreeing that it would be best to head back to New York [i]post haste[/i], a coachman is hired to begin the journey. The closest city of considerable size to the village of Collinsport is Bangor -- itself a very small place compared to New York, of course -- which lies some fifty miles away, so even this first step in the direction of proper civilization will require a full day's travel, at least. Thus, rising very early, the excursion begins before the sun is yet visible over the horizon. Daniel, displaying signs of his youthfulness, soon falls asleep as the coach bumps its way over rough paths that can hardly be called roads. It is not much longer before a wordless shout from the coachman, the shrieks of the single horse, and the sudden stopping of the vehicle, wakes him. Peering out the small opening which serves as a window, Daniel grows pale. "You do not wish to see this, dear sister. Take my hand, and we shall make our way back to Collinsport on foot." It is not necessary to make inquiry as to why they cannot ride, as there are no longer the breathy sounds one always hears when in the presence of a living horse.

Vicki,Millicent instinctively asks about the coachman, but if Daniel is not mentioning him, then obviously he has come to harm. She will not delay heading back to the town with her brother.

[SunlessNick]

Josette returns Victoria's helpless look.

[Mr. Handy]

"Did you accompany me to the Collins family crypt the other day?" asks Reverend Trask.

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria watches anxiously, hoping that Nathan Forbes will tell the truth.

[SunlessNick]

"That is so. In investigation of the murders that plagued Collinsport."

[Mr. Handy]

"The murders of which you were acquitted, in this very room," says Reverend Trask. "Please tell the court what we found in the crypt."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Millicent,Daniel does not make answer as to the coachman's fate, save to suggest that his sister is better off without further knowledge of the situation. After seeing that she is safe within the stout walls of the new mansion, he hurries off to make report to the local constable.

[SunlessNick]

Millicent tells the rest of the Collins family what she knows of what occurred and where Daniel is. She implores two of the footmen to go after him - he is being brave while setting off to find the constable, but if there is danger, no one should be out alone, especially a child.

[SunlessNick]

"You had expressed the conviction that the murders were the work of an unnatural creature, a vampire," begins Nathan. "Initially I was skeptical, I admit, but you will recall there was already a sense about the estate that strange events were afoot. There was a secret chamber beyond the main mausoleum to which you, fortunately, knew how to gain access. There was a coffin within. We opened it to find what would normally have appeared to be a corpse, that of the late Ben Stokes. He apeared freshly dead, with blood around his mouth.

What I am about to say may be difficult for some of the more delicate ladies in the audience to hear. You drove a wooden stake into Mr Stoke's heart, at which point his body awakened with unnatural life. Enough that my doubts as to his nature were erased. He spoke a few words, then died in truth, after which his flesh fell quickly into a more natural corruption."

Nathan will make the Reverend prompt him as to what the words were, or else for Bradford to ask him in cross-examination. He will answer, "He spoke of a 'she,' who had 'done it,' but he said no name, nor anything else specific of who this lady might be."

[Mr. Handy]

Reverend Trask does ask Nathan Forbes about Ben Stokes's final words. "I can confirm the truth of what you have said," says Reverend Trask. "As difficult as many people may find it to believe, it is true. Have you visited the defendant since her arrest, either by yourself or in the company of Barnabas Collins?"

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria is relieved that Nathan Forbes has told the truth - and that he has not mentioned the book.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Millicent tells the rest of the Collins family what she knows of what occurred and where Daniel is. She implores two of the footmen to go after him - he is being brave while setting off to find the constable, but if there is danger, no one should be out alone, especially a child.

All too ready to make haste to follow these instructions, their rude hearts moved to tenderness by the entreatments of so gentle a lady, a brace of servants escort Master Collins to the rude office of the constable. There they bear witness to the tale the lad relates, one whose truth is quickly confirmed when the constable makes his way along the path to Bangor. The tongues of servants not being known for reticence, soon it is common knowledge that the savagely mutilated bodies of driver and horse, along with the carriage itself, were found not so very far from Collinsport.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Reverend Trask does ask Nathan Forbes about Ben Stokes's final words. "I can confirm the truth of what you have said," says Reverend Trask. "As difficult as many people may find it to believe, it is true. Have you visited the defendant since her arrest, either by yourself or in the company of Barnabas Collins?"

"Objection," shouts Peter Bradford. "My learned opponent is obviously attempting to cast aspersions upon normal conversations any employed man may have with his master and mistress."

"Overruled. The witness will answer the question. Rest assured, Mister Bradford, that the court will not read anything into the reply other than the facts."

[SunlessNick]

Victoria is relieved that Nathan Forbes has told the truth - and that he has not mentioned the book.

OOC:   I don't think Nathan saw the book.

"Overruled. The witness will answer the question. Rest assured, Mister Bradford, that the court will not read anything into the reply other than the facts."

"I did visit the defendent, yes," says Nathan. "As the learned prosecutor alluded earlier, I am acquainted with the discomforts of a jail cell. I went to ask Mrs Collins whether she wished me to bring anything for her from the estate. She declined. Her husband and counsel were present during the time I spent with her, as was proper."

[SunlessNick]

Millicent is chilled by the news of the coachman's death, as it must have been mere feet from her. Nevertheless, she is overcome with pride in the fortitude shown by her brother in the face of what he must have seen.

[SunlessNick]

"I cannot understand what he is trying to do," whispers Josette to Victoria. "Why tell the truth about poor Mr Stokes but lie otherwise?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Perhaps he was only made to lie about one particular thing," Victoria whispers back. "Or perhaps the spell that made him lie has worn off by now."