A thorough and exacting process was about to be undertaken, though there were those who had observed to Skae that it might be better if this case never came to trial. Society saw women as gentle creatures, given naturally to their appointed duties of tenderness and nurture, and it charged nurses with absolute trust in the care of the sick. Skae well understood the motivations of those who did not wish such comforting assumptions to be shattered by public exposure of Mary Dempster’s deeds. And as for what was alleged to have motivated her, it would be a grave offence to most sensibilities to be forced to confront such notions.

Nonetheless, Skae would not let his verdict be subordinate to such considerations. His professional reputation, and thus the integrity of his other work – his detailed study and classification of mental disease – relied upon his clinical judgment.

‘Before we commence,’ Findlay stated, ‘for what it is worth, I would like to remind Dr Skae that there is already a confession, of sorts.’

‘It cannot be regarded as in any way reliable,’ Nicholson objected. ‘It was intended as a piece of misdirection, not as a sincere account of my client’s conduct or motives.’

‘It most certainly was not that,’ Findlay scoffed. ‘It pointedly did not include an explanation of her methods. We have Mrs Banks to thank for deducing that. The only thing it is reliable proof of is Mary’s intention to effectively change her identity and resume her activities under a new guise, seeking her gratification elsewhere. One might suggest that deploying such elaborate stratagems in order to avoid detection is proof that she well knew what she was doing was wrong.’

Nicholson opened his mouth to speak once more, but Skae interrupted.

‘What I might infer from this feigned confession remains to be seen, and will only be considered once I have a fuller picture.’

‘Indeed,’ Nicholson acknowledged.

Dr Drake looked to Skae, who gave him a nod of assent. They were ready.

A short time later the prisoner was brought in, flanked by two guards. They were hardened and muscular types, used to dealing with violent men. Their brawn struck Skae as disproportionate and unnecessary. Mary looked all the more slight walking between them, and yet she did not appear cowed or intimidated. She seemed strangely care-free, which caused Skae to make the first of his notes.

She was released from her shackles and took her seat.

Skae instructed the guards to leave the room. They seemed reluctant, and he had to remind them that whatever danger she posed, it was not through her physical capabilities.

She looked curiously at Skae, sizing him up as though she were the one here to make an assessment of him.