No little sensation was created by the able defence of the young barrister. The touching, though simple outline he first drew of the previous history of the accused--her character and conduct, so inconsistent with such grave delinquency as that of which she stood suspected--which he produced many witnesses to testify; all was brought admirably to bear upon the point. Even round the impenetrable cloud in which her silence wrapped the affair, he cast a silvery halo, by the manner in which he treated her conduct in this respect. The moral beauty in which he clothed the idea--the matchless constancy of that poor woman's mind, which few who had heard the details of her history, of her life, could forbear to acknowledge. Who then could feel surprised if now she stood there preferring shame, ignominy, and suspicion to the betrayal of the being who, were it friend or relation--even stranger or acquaintance--had come forward to assist her in her extremity, and though but for a moment, had stood forth in the guise of benefactor, turning her mourning into joy--throwing sunshine upon her weary path! Who could sound the depths of gratitude when once strongly called forth in the human heart--to what even morbid extent, as he owned it might be deemed in the present case, might it not be carried? That the quality of self-preservation--self-defence was greater--many in that assembly might sneeringly assert; but for his own part--he was thankful to say such cynical lessons had not been taught him--he did think that gratitude--disinterested, heroic gratitude, was still a flower not yet quite extinct in the soil of humanity; that in the words of the poet he could assert: "I've heard of hearts unkind--of hearts, Kind deeds with ill returning; Alas! the gratitude of men Has often left me mourning." But might there not be a bond stronger even than gratitude which binds the prisoner's tongue in a matter touching so closely her personal welfare? It was his business that day to clear his client, therefore he must add, that very insufficient light had been obtained from a quarter in which much more particular evidence was naturally to have been expected. The prisoner had a mother, which circumstance had before been mentioned, and the truth of which, (even during the brief space of time the matter had been placed in his hands,) he made it his business to ascertain, now lying on her death-bed. Yet how could it be clearly ascertained that this mother has not assisted her daughter in her distress? indeed it seems strangely unnatural that she should not have done so throughout the long probation she had endured, and still more so in this last emergency. Was there no question as to whether the powers of natural affection might not restrain the selfish instinct of self-defence? Was there any proof, though there might be no direct knowledge, that the prisoner had not held intercourse or correspondence with the parent?