“We have no wish to interfere with the justice of the State, or with the protection of the citizen,” answered Timms, looking round to note the effect of his words—“our object is to defend the innocent; and the great and powerful community of New York will find more pleasure in seeing an accused acquitted than in seeing fifty criminals condemned.” This sentiment sounded quite as well as that of Williams’s, and heads were again nodded in approbation. It told particularly well in a paragraph of a newspaper that Timms had engaged to publish what he considered his best remarks. “It seems to me, gentlemen,” interposed the judge, who understood the meaning of these _ad captandum_ remarks perfectly well, “that your conversation is premature at least, if not altogether improper. Nothing of this nature should be said until the prisoner has been arraigned.” “I submit, your honour, and acknowledge the justice of the reproof,” answered Williams. “I now move the court, on behalf of the District Attorney, that Mary Monson, who stands indicted for murder and arson, _be_ arraigned, and her pleas entered——” “I could wish this step might be delayed until I can hear from the leading counsel for the defence,” objected Timms, “which must now occur in the course of a very few hours.” “I perceive that the prisoner is a female,” said the judge, in a tone of regret. “Yes, your honour; she is, and young and handsome, they tell me,” answered Williams; “for I have never been able to get a sight of her. She is too much of a great lady to be seen at a grate, by all I can learn of her and her proceedings. Plays on the harp, sir; has a French _valet de chambre_, or something of that sort——”