eant it. His opinion of the prisoner
was not, however, shaken in the least. I have seen a letter of his to a
celebrated personage of the day, in which, mentioning this interview, he
concludes with saying,--"In short, there is so much real dignity
about the man, that adverse circumstances increase it tenfold. Of his
innocence I have not the remotest doubt; but if he persist in being his
own counsel, I tremble for the result,--you know in such cases how much
more valuable is practice than genius. But the judge you will say is, in
criminal causes, the prisoner's counsel,--God grant he may here prove a
successful one! I repeat, were Aram condemned by five hundred juries,
I could not believe him guilty. No, the very essence of all human
probabilities is against it."

The Earl afterwards saw and conversed with Walter. He was much struck
with the conduct of the young Lester, and much impressed with a feeling
for a situation, so harassing and unhappy.

"Whatever be the result of the trial," said Walter, "I shall leave the
country the moment it is finally over. If the prisoner be condemned,
there is no hearth for me in my uncle's home; if not, my suspicions
may still remain, and the sight of each other be an equal bane to the
accused and to myself. A voluntary exile, and a life that may lead to
forgetfulness, are all that I covet.--I now find in my own person," he
added, with a faint smile, "how deeply Shakspeare had read the mysteries
of men's conduct. Hamlet, we are told, was naturally full of fire and
action. One dark discovery quells his spirit, unstrings his heart,
and stales to him for ever the uses of the world. I now comprehend the
change. It is bodied forth even in the humblest individual, who is met
by a similar fate--even in myself."

"Ay," said the Earl, "I do indeed remember you a wild, impetuous,
headstrong youth. I scarcely recognize your very appearance. The elastic
spring has left your step--there seems a fixed furrow in your brow.
These clouds of life are indeed no summer vapour, darkening one moment
and gone the next. But my young friend, let us hope the best. I firmly
believe in Aram's innocence--firmly!--more rootedly than I can express.
The real criminal will appear on the trial. All bitterness between you
and Aram must cease at his acquittal; you will be anxious to repair to
him the injustice of a natural suspicion: and he seems not one who could
long retain malice. All will be well, believe me."

"God