heir eyes towards the dock with looks of sympathy
and comfort. And oh, how little know they, whose eyes are beaming with
the bright spark that warms their generous hearts, what loadstars are
they to him who stands alone, forsaken, and accused in the criminal
dock! What a resting-place does the weary and tired soul feel that
glance of kindly meaning! How does it speak to his bruised and
wounded spirit of hope and charity! What energy will it impart to the
fast-failing courage! what self-respect and self-reliance to him who, a
few moments back, was sinking beneath the abasement of despair!

Such was the effect now produced upon Roland Cashel. The array of
circumstances, so formidably marshalled by his accuser, had completely
overwhelmed him; the consciousness of innocence failed to support him
against the feeling which he saw spreading like a mist around him.
Against the accusation--against its fearful penalty--his own stout
heart could sustain him; but how bear up against the contempt and the
abhorrence of his fellow-men! Under the crushing weight of this shame he
was sinking fast, when a stray glance--a chance expression of interest,
like sunlight piercing a dark cloud--gave promise that all was not lost.
He felt that there were yet some who wished to believe him guiltless,
and that all sympathy for him had not yet died out.

"Does the prisoner desire to avail himself of the privilege he possesses
to call witnesses to character?" asked the judge.

"No, my Lord," said Cashel, firmly, but respectfully. "Since my
accession to fortune, my life has been passed for the most part in what
is called the 'fashionable world;' and from what I have seen of it, the
society does not seem rich in those persons whose commendations, were
they to give them, would weigh heavily with your Lordship. Besides, they
could say little to my praise, which the learned counsel has not
already said to my disparagement,--that I had the command of wealth, and
squandered it without taste and without credit."

Few and insignificant as were these words, the easy and fearless mode
of their delivery, the manly energy of him who spoke them, seemed to
produce a most favorable impression throughout the court, which as
rapidly reacted upon Cashel; for now the embers of hope were fanned, and
already glowed into a slight flicker.

"The prisoner having waived his privilege, my Lord," said the
Attorney-General, "I beg to observe that the case is now closed."