of them was ever
debased with a false and lying tongue, not one of them ever stooped to
deny his or her deed to avert the worst consequences that might befall.
And, Judge Ruthven, if in my rage I had slain my rival, if I had been
bad enough to do that deed, I should have been brave enough to avow it!
I have never stained my hands with blood, and never sullied my lips
with falsehood, and so, when I tell you that I am guiltless of the death
of Rosa Blondelle, Judge Ruthven, I call upon you to believe me!"

Her eyes were fixed on his, and through them poured her spirit's
strength and purity and truth, inspiring his soul with full faith in
her.

He arose from his seat, his fine old face tremulous, yet beaming with
emotion.

"Give me your hands, my child! I _do_ believe you--I believe you!" he
fervently exclaimed, taking and pressing her hands.

"Thank Heaven! Now I can bear the rest!" earnestly answered Sybil,
bending her head. "And now, Judge Ruthven! do your duty! The quicker it
is done and over, the better for us both!"

"Patience, patience, my child! I have now to return at once into the
court to preside at a trial now in progress. In the mean while do you
remain here. The necessary forms shall be gone through. I will send you
counsel. You must be committed for trial; but you will immediately apply
through your counsel to be admitted to bail. Remain here until you hear
from me. All will be right for the present, and Heaven grant that all
may be well in the end!"

"Admitted to bail! Not have to go to prison! Oh, thank you! thank you!
But I thought cases like mine were not bailable."

"That is somewhat at the discretion of the court. The fact that you have
voluntarily come forward to give yourself up to trial, pleads loudly in
your favor."

"And I may go home! Go home perhaps even to-night! Oh! home! home! home!
Oh! how blessed to be able to go home! Oh, thank you! thank you! thank
you!" cried Sybil, bursting into tears of joy.

"Compose yourself, my child. It is very possible that you may sleep at
home to-night, and many nights. But there are certain legal forms that
must be observed. I will see that they are properly attended to, and
with as little distress to you as may be consistent with their due
observance. The case that is now going on will close this afternoon, I
think. But I will still keep the court open to as late an hour as
possible, to wait for the application of your counsel for bail. Remain
here