"Horse stealing is a felony;" said Mr. Brice; "and all felonies are punishable with death." "I know. But why should you hang a man because he stole something? You hang a man for murder, you hang a man for theft; surely, the two crimes do not justify the same punishment." "I think you are right, and that we will come to it in time. Indeed, I think my father is of the same opinion, though he has no power to change it. Listen to this case; the defendant has plead guilty." "Mr. Prosecutor," said the judge, "let me have the indictment. John Farrin, stand up. You have plead guilty to as dastardly and cowardly a crime as I have ever known. You have disfigured your wife for life and, possibly, crippled her as well. You have cut off both her ears and one of her toes. I greatly regret that the law is such I cannot inflict adequate punishment upon you. I wish I could send you to prison for ten years. As it is, I will give you the limit. The sentence of the Court is, that you undergo a year's imprisonment, and then to find security for good behavior. Adjourn the Court until two o'clock." Meanwhile, in the garden of the Governor's residence, Martha Stirling was entertaining visitors. Jane Falconer and Edith Tyler were her particular friends, and they had come over, from their homes on Prince George Street, to discuss the aftermath of the ball, on the previous night. "Martha," said Miss Falconer, "I do not wonder that Captain Herford was jealous. The way you carried on with Sir Edward Parkington was really scandalous." "And what was yours, my dear?" "Mine?" "Yes, yours," said Miss Stirling; "as I remember, you and Edith were with him just as much as I--or, perhaps, a _little_ less." Miss Tyler laughed. "A little less!" she said. "He danced with me but once. How many times did he favor you?" "Oh, two or three." "Indeed! Six or eight I should say, and nearer the latter than the former." "That sounds like jealousy." "Oh, no, it does not!" said Miss Tyler. "I care nothing for Sir Edward, beyond the fact that he is an agreeable partner. Indeed, I do not care enough to flirt with him." "Nor I," said Miss Falconer. "Well, girls, I am glad to hear you say so," Miss Stirling observed, "for I intend to flirt with him outrageously." "Last night, for instance?" said Miss Tyler. "Last night was only a beginning." "So far as I observed," said Miss Falconer, "Sir Edward is ready to meet you more than half way." Miss Stirling laughed. "Such was my observation, too. At the same time, I observed that young Mr. Marbury was exceedingly attentive," looking at Miss Tyler. "To me, do you mean? Perhaps--but it has gone on so long as not to occasion comment. I am sorry for George--a nice fellow but with impossible parents." "Who are the Marburys?" said Miss Stirling.