onscious than myself, from the nature of the
evidence given in this case, of the utter hopelessness of any defence
which may be offered on my behalf. But, while recognising, in their
fullest force, the strong circumstantial proofs of crime which you have
heard, I may be permitted to deny for myself what my counsel has been
pleased to admit for me. To say that I have _not_ been guilty of this
crime, is only to repeat that which was said when I threw myself upon
the justice of the country. I denied any knowledge of it then--I deny
any knowledge of, or participation in it, now. I am _not_ guilty of this
killing, whether with or without justification. The blood of the
unfortunate man Forrester is _not_ upon my hands; and, whatever may be
your decree this day, of this sweet consciousness nothing can deprive
me."

"I consider, may it please your honor, that my counsel, having virtually
abandoned my cause, I have the right to go on with it myself--"

But Pippin, who had been dreadfully impatient heretofore, started
forward with evident alarm.

"Oh, no--no, your honor--my client--Mr. Colleton--how can you think such
a thing? I have not, your honor, abandoned the case. On the contrary,
your honor will remember that it was while actually proceeding with the
case that I was interrupted."

The youth, with a singular degree of composure, replied:--

"Your honor will readily understand me, though the gentleman of the bar
does not. I conceive him not only to have abandoned the case, your
honor, but actually to have joined hand and hand with the prosecuting
counsel. It is true, sir, that he still calls himself _my_ counsel--and
still, under that name, presumes to harangue, as he alleges, in my
behalf; but, when he violates the truth, not less than my
instructions--when he declares all that is alleged against me in that
paper _to be true_, all of which I declare to be _false_--when he admits
me to be guilty of a crime of which I am _not_ guilty--I say that he has
not only abandoned my case, but that he has betrayed the trust reposed
in him. What, your honor, must the jury infer from the confession which
he has just made?--what, but that in my conference with him _I_ have
made the same confession? It becomes necessary, therefore, may it please
your honor, not only that I take from him, thus openly, the power which
I confided to him, but that I call upon your honor to demand from him,
upon oath, whether such an admission was ever mad