'It's dashed hard lines, I say,' answered his mate, 'that a fellow should get jugged just for a bit of foolishness-like, as none of us are above now and then. I'll never believe he knew that bay horse wasn't square, and it'll be a burning shame if he gets into it.' * * * * * The day and the hour arrived. Again the crowded court--friends, foes, strangers, and acquaintances, all were there. Lance's friends from Growlers' mustered in force--Mr. Stirling, Jack Polwarth, Mrs. Polwarth, and poor Tottie, who stretched forth her little hands with a piteous gesture and then burst into tears as she saw her friend Lance placed in the dock and shut in. The crowd was visibly affected by this little incident, and more than one woman's tears flowed in unison with Mrs. Polwarth's, who bent her head down and sobbed unrestrainedly. When Kate Lawless, pale but composed, appeared and took her place in the witness-box a menacing murmur ran through the crowd, and sounds ominously like hisses made themselves audible. These were quickly repressed as Mr. England, stepping forward, commenced his cross-examination. Fixing his eyes searchingly upon the girl's defiant face, he thus began-- 'You said, I think, in your examination in chief that you knew the prisoner, Trevanion, well?' 'Yes; so I did.' 'Now, when you say you knew him well, do you mean us to believe that you were only ordinary friends and no more?' 'I mean what I said; we were very friendly--all the time we were at Growlers'.' 'That's all very well, but I must have more. You know something of life, Miss Lawless, though you've lived in the bush all your days. Now didn't this unfortunate young gentleman make love to you?' 'Well, I suppose he did.' 'And you returned it, or gave him to understand that you did?' 'I did like him very much. There was no reason why I shouldn't, was there?' Here Miss Kate looked coolly at the barrister, who, trained gladiator as he was, doubted whether he had ever had to deal with a keener antagonist. 'I am not here to answer questions,' he said, very gravely. 'You are to reply to mine, as his worship will tell you.' 'Then I am to understand that you and he considered yourselves sweethearts (as the familiar expression goes) when you were at Growlers'?' 'Yes, and afterwards.' 'And you have had no quarrel or misunderstanding?' 'No; none at all.' 'You wish his worship to believe that?' said the barrister, in sterner tones. 'To believe that you come here prepared to swear at the dictation of Sergeant Dayrell everything that he puts into your mouth which can tell against this unfortunate young man--your sweetheart, as you have admitted?' 'I don't care whether you believe it or not. It's the truth.' 'And your feelings have not changed towards him? Will you swear that?' The girl hesitated. Her face flushed, then paled, her bosom heaved. She placed her hand upon her heart as if to still its beatings.