When Stowell resumed his seat on the bench, and the buzz of conversation had subsided, he was conscious of the presence of only three persons besides himself--Bessie in the dock with Fenella by her side, and Alick Gell, with distorted face and wig a little awry, in the bench in front of them. The Jurymen filed back. The Clerk of the Rolls read out their names and then asked for their formal verdict. "You find the prisoner Guilty, according to the instructions of the Court?" "Aw, yes, guilty enough, poor soul," said the foreman (it was the northside farmer), "but lave her to the Lord, we say." There was a titter at this quaint finding, but it was quickly suppressed. Then the Clerk of the Rolls said, "I assume that means that you recommend her to mercy?" "Aw, yes, mercy enough too," said the foreman, "for when the sacrets of all hearts are revealed it's mercy we'll all be wanting." After that Stowell was conscious of a still deeper hush in Court. He saw Bessie, in the full glare of her shame, standing in the dock, holding the rail with one hand and clinging to Fenella with the other. He heard himself asking her if she had anything to say why judgment should not be pronounced upon her. She made no answer, but there was a strange expression of frightened hope in her face. He understood--she was expecting that he would save her even at the last moment. At that sight there came to him one of those frightful impulses which tempt people on dizzy heights, from sheer fear of danger, to fling themselves into the abyss below. "Prisoner at the bar," he said, "it has been said on your behalf that you were first led to do what you did by the act of one who remains unpunished while you have to bear the full weight of your fall. If you think it will lessen the burden of your crime to plead this as an extenuating circumstance speak--it is not too late to do so." Bessie made no reply, and Stowell, who felt Fenella's eyes fixed on him, continued, "Don't be afraid. If you think it will lighten your guilt in the eyes of the Court to mention that man's name, mention it." Bessie swayed a little, as if dizzy, looked round at Fenella, and then turned back to the bench and shook her head. The hush in Court was broken by a rustle of astonishment. Had the Deemster lost himself? Stowell was conscious of a movement by his side and of the Governor saying, in an angry whisper, "Go on, for God's sake!" At length, in a voice so low as to be only just heard even in the breathless silence, he said,