ing--how is the feeling of the Court?"

"Variable, I should say; in the galleries, and among the fashionably
dressed part of the assemblage, inclined somewhat in his favor."

"How? Did not the charge of attempted bigamy tell against him with his
fair allies?"

"Not so much as I had hoped."

"What creatures women are!" said Linton, holding up his hands. "And how
are they betting? What says Frobisher?"

"He affects to think it no case for odds; he says there 's a little
fellow in the jury-box never was known to say 'Guilty.'"

"A scheme to win money,--a stale trick, my Lord Charles!" muttered
Linton, contemptuously; "but I've no objection to hedge a little, for
all that."

"I must be going," said Jones, looking at his watch; "the charge will
soon be over, and I must look to the proceedings."

"Will they be long in deliberation, think you?" asked Linton.

"I suspect not; they are all weary and tired. It is now ten o'clock."

"I thought it later," said Linton, thoughtfully; "time lags heavily with
him whose mind is in expectancy. Hark! there is some one below talking
of the trial! What says he?"

"He speaks of Cashel as still addressing the Court. Can they have
consented to hear him, after all?"

A fearful curse broke from Linton, and he closed the door noiselessly.

"See to this, Jones; see to it speedily. My mind misgives me that
something will go wrong."

"You say that you know him thoroughly, and that he never would--"

"No, no," broke in Linton, passionately; "he'll not break one tittle of
his word, even to save his life! When he promised me that all should be
secret between us, he made no reservations, and you 'll see that he 'll
not avail himself of such privileges now. I do know him thoroughly."

"Then what, or whence, is your fear?"

Linton made no other answer than a gesture of his hand, implying some
vague and indistinct dread. "But go," said he, "and go quickly. You
ought never to have left the court. Had you remained, perhaps this might
have been prevented. If all goes right, you 'll be here by daybreak at
furthest, and Keane along with you. Take care of that, Jones; don't
lose sight of him. If--if--we are unfortunate--and do you think such
possible?"

"Everything is possible with a jury."

"True," said he, thoughtfully; "it is an issue we should never have left
it to. But away; hasten back. Great Heaven! only to think how much hangs
upon the next half-hour!"

"To Cashel, you mean?" sai