FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153  
154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   >>   >|  
g the jury, told them that it was his most painful duty to remind them that as yet they had heard but assertion, beautiful and almost convincing assertion truly; but still it was not proof. 'Alas!' observed Francisco, 'what evidence can I bring forward, except the evidence of those around me at the bar, which will not be admitted? Can I recall the dead from the grave? Can I expect those who have been murdered to rise again to assert my innocence? Can I expect that Don Cumanos will appear from distant leagues to give evidence on my behalf? Alas! he knows not how I am situated, or he would have flown to my succour. No, no; not even can I expect that the sweet Spanish maiden, the last to whom I offered my protection, will appear in such a place as this to meet the bold gaze of hundreds!' 'She is here!' replied a manly voice; and a passage was made through the crowd; and Clara, supported by Edward Templemore, dressed in his uniform, was ushered into the box for the witnesses. The appearance of the fair girl, who looked round her with alarm, created a great sensation. As soon as she was sufficiently composed she was sworn, and gave her evidence as to Francisco's behaviour during the time that she was a prisoner on board of the _Avenger_. She produced the packet which had saved the life of Francisco, and substantiated a great part of his defence. She extolled his kindness and his generosity; and when she had concluded every one asked of himself, 'Can this young man be a pirate and a murderer?' The reply was, 'It is impossible.' [Illustration: _As soon as she was sufficiently composed, was sworn, and gave her evidence._] 'My lord,' said Edward Templemore, 'I request permission to ask the prisoner a question. When I was on board of the wreck of the _Avenger_, I found this book floating in the cabin. I wish to ask the prisoner whether, as that young lady has informed me, it is his?' And Edward Templemore produced the Bible. 'It is mine,' replied Francisco. 'May I ask you by what means it came into your possession?' 'It is the only relic left of one who is now no more. It was the consolation of my murdered mother; it has since been mine. Give it to me, sir; I may probably need its support now more than ever.' 'Was your mother murdered, say you?' cried Edward Templemore, with much agitation. 'I have already said so; and I now repeat it.' The judge again rose, and recapitulated the evidence to the jury. Evide
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153  
154   155   156   157   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168   169   170   171   172   173   174   175   176   177   178   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
evidence
 

Edward

 

Templemore

 
Francisco
 

murdered

 

prisoner

 

expect

 

replied

 

sufficiently

 

mother


produced

 
composed
 

Avenger

 
assertion
 
request
 

Illustration

 

remind

 

floating

 

question

 

permission


murderer

 

kindness

 

generosity

 

extolled

 

defence

 
substantiated
 

concluded

 

pirate

 

impossible

 

support


recapitulated

 

repeat

 
agitation
 

painful

 

informed

 

consolation

 

possession

 

offered

 

protection

 

Spanish


maiden
 
admitted
 

hundreds

 

recall

 

behalf

 
leagues
 

distant

 
innocence
 
Cumanos
 

succour