the examination himself, with the view to bringing out such portions of
her information as delicacy or some other more influential motive might
persuade her to conceal.

"You are sure, Miss Munro, of the innocence of the prisoner so sure that
you are willing to swear to it. Such is your conviction, at least; for,
unless you saw the blow given by another hand, or could prove Mr.
Colleton to have been elsewhere at the time of the murder, of course you
could not, of a certainty, swear to any such fact. You are not now to
say whether you believe him _capable_ of such an act or not. You are to
say whether you _know_ of any circumstances which shall acquit him of
the charge, or furnish a plausible reason, why others, not less than
yourself, should have a like reason with yourself to believe him
innocent. Can you do this, Miss Munro? Can you show anything, in this
chain of circumstances, against him, which, of your own knowledge, you
can say to be untrue? Speak out, young lady, and rely upon every
indulgence from the court."

Here the judge recapitulated all the evidence which had been furnished
against the prisoner. The maiden listened with close attention, and the
difficulties of her situation became more and more obvious. Finding her
slow to answer, though her looks were certainly full of meaning, the
presiding officer took another course for the object which he had in
view. He now proceeded to her examination in the following form:--

"You know the prisoner?"

"I do."

"You knew the murdered man?"

"Perfectly."

"Were they frequently together since the appearance of the prisoner in
these regions?"

"Frequently."

"At the house in which you dwell?"

"Yes."

"Were they together on the day preceding the night of the murder?"

"They were--throughout the better portion of it."

"Did they separate at your place of residence, and what was the
employment of the prisoner subsequently on the same day?"

"They did separate while at our house, Mr. Colleton retiring at an early
hour of the evening to his chamber."

"So far, Miss Munro, your answers correspond directly with the evidence,
and now come the important portions. You will answer briefly and
distinctly. After that, did you see anything more of the prisoner, and
know you of his departure from the house--the hour of the night--the
occasion of his going--and the circumstances attending it?"

These questions were, indeed, all important to the female delicacy