lous: conviction steals in from so many sources, that the mind,
like a city assaulted on every side, is captured almost at once. All the
force of cause and effect is often imparted to matters which are merely
consecutive; and it requires patient consideration to disembarrass
a case of much that is merely insinuated, and more that is actually
speculative.

In the present instance everything was circumstantial; but so much the
more did it impress all who listened, even to him who, leaning on the
rails of the dock, now heard with wonderment how terribly consistent
were all the events which seemed to point him out as guilty.

After a brief exordium, in which he professed his deep sorrow at the
duty which had devolved on him, and his ardent desire to suffer nothing
to escape him with reference to the prisoner save what the interests
of truth and justice imperatively might call for, the Attorney-General
entered upon a narrative of the last day of Mr. Kennyfeck's life;
detailing with minute precision his departure from Tubbermore
at an early hour in Mr. Cashel's company, and stating how something
bordering upon altercation between them was overheard by the bystanders
as they drove away. "The words themselves, few and unimportant as they
might seem," added he, "under common circumstances, come before us with
a terrible significance when remembered in connection with the horrible
event that followed." He then traced their course to Drumcoologan, where
differences of opinion, trivial, some might call them, but of importance
to call for weighty consideration here, repeatedly occurred respecting
the tenantry and the management of the estate. These would all be proved
by competent witnesses, he alleged; and he desired the jury to bear
in mind that such testimony should be taken as that of men much more
disposed to think and speak well of Mr. Cashel, whose very spendthrift
tastes had the character of virtues in the peasants eyes, in contrast
with the careful and more scrupulous discretion practised by "the
agent."

"You will be told, gentlemen of the jury," continued he, "how, after
a day spent in continued differences of opinion, they separated at
evening,--one to return to Tubbermore by the road; the other, by the
less travelled path that led over the mountains. And here it is worthy
of remark that Mr. Cashel, although ignorant of the way, a stranger,
for the first time in his life in the district, positively refuses all
offers