The Confessions of Frannie Langton

In the court room at the opening of Frannie’s trial for the murders of the Benhams, the prosecutor Jessop is attempting to smear Frannie’s character. The way trials work at the Old Bailey is that the defense must improvise their response to the prosecution’s arguments. A doctor comes to attest to the fact that the Benhams were murdered and that the fetus in the jar came from Mrs. Benham. Linux then testifies, berating Frannie and saying that Meg was afraid of her. She says that Frannie went to Meg’s room the night she was murdered. She gives her account of finding the bodies, blaming Frannie. Frannie’s lawyer, Mr. Pettigrew, points out that she is speculating and accuses her of bullying Frannie as well as being prejudiced against her.

During a recess in proceedings, Mr. Pettigrew and the lawyer advising him, Mr. Tomkin, ask Frannie to explain to them what happened with the baby. She tells them that the baby was not Mr. Benham’s, and of how she returned to the Benham’s house. She tells them of Mr. Benham’s plan and Meg’s grief and her own love for Meg. She says that the reason the fetus was in the jar was because Meg wanted to bury it properly when she was well.