will sit in
deliberation, is the subject of a bet!

This anxiety was now at its climax, for, directly in front of them, a
small door had just opened, and a crowd of men entered, and took their
seats in the gallery.

Their grave countenances, marked by watching and eager discussion, at
once proclaimed that they were the jury.

There was a low murmur heard throughout the court as they took their
seats; and instinctively many an eye was turned towards the dock, to
watch how _he_ bore himself in that trying moment With a steady gaze
fixed upon the spot from which his doom was to be spoken, he stood
erect, with arms folded and his head high. He was deathly pale; but
not a trace of anything like fear in the calm lineaments of his manly
features.

"The jury seem very grave," whispered Upton to Frobisher.

"I wish that stupid old judge would bestir himself," replied Lord
Charles, looking at his watch; "it wants four minutes to five: he 'll
scarcely be in court before it strikes, and I shall lose a pony through
it."

"Here he comes!--here he comes!" said another; and the Chief Baron
entered the court, his face betraying that he had been aroused from
sleep.

"Are you agreed, gentlemen of the jury?" asked the judge, in a low
voice.

"Not perfectly, my Lord," said the foreman. "We want your Lordship to
decide a point for us; which is--If we should be of opinion that any
grave provocation led to the death of Kennyfeck, whether our verdict
could be modified, and our finding be, in consequence, for manslaughter,
and not murder?"

"The indictment," said the judge, "does not give you that option. It is
framed without any count for the minor offence. I ought, perhaps, also
to observe, that nothing has transpired in the evidence given here,
this day, to warrant the impression you seem inclined to entertain. Your
verdict must be one of Guilty or Not Guilty."

"We are of opinion, my Lord," said a juryman, "that great latitude in
the expression of temper should be conceded to a young man reared and
educated as the prisoner has been."

"These sentiments, honorable to you as they are, cannot be indulged
at the expense of justice, however they may find a fitting place in a
recommendation to mercy; and even this must be accompanied by something
more than sympathies."

"Well said, old boy!" muttered Frobisher to himself. "My odds are
looking up again."

"In that case, my Lord, we must retire again," said the foreman; and the
j