He followed the old man's instructions, and a few minutes later was in a large hall, in which there were a good many people, and groups of robed barristers were gossiping together. It is always a thing that contracts the heart, to see these assemblies of men dressed in black, conversing in a low voice on the threshold of a court of justice. It is rare for charity and pity to be noticed in their remarks, for they generally express condemnations settled before trial. All such groups appear to the thoughtful observer so many gloomy hives, in which buzzing minds build in community all sorts of dark edifices. This hall, which was large and only lighted by one lamp, served as a waiting-room: and folding-doors, at this moment closed, separated it from the grand chamber in which the assizes were being held. The obscurity was so great, that he was not afraid of addressing the first barrister he came across. "How is it going, sir?" he said. "It is finished." "Finished!" This word was repeated with such an accent, that the barrister turned round. "I beg your pardon, sir, but perhaps you are a relative?" "No, I know no one here. Was a verdict of guilty brought in?" "Of course; it could not possibly be otherwise." "The galleys?" "For life." He continued in a voice so faint that it was scarce audible,-- "Then, the identity was proved?" "What identity?" the barrister retorted. "Nothing of the sort was required; the affair was simple,--the woman had killed her child, the infanticide was proved, the jury recommended her to mercy, and she was sentenced to imprisonment for life." "You are alluding to a woman, then?" "Why, of course; a girl of the name of Limosin. To whom were you referring, pray?" "To nobody; but as the trial is over, how is it that the court is still lighted?" "It is for the other trial, which began about two hours back." "What other trial?" "Oh, it is clear too; he is a sort of beggar, a relapsed galley slave, who has been robbing. I forget his name, but he has a regular bandit face, on the strength of which I would send him to the galleys if for nothing else." "Is there any way of entering the court, sir?" he asked. "I do not think so, for it is very full. Still, the trial is suspended, and some persons have gone out. When the court resumes, you can try." "Which is the way in?" "By that large door."