“There could be no compounding a felony, if the indictment be not quashed, but traversed,” said the senior counsel for the defence. “Very true; but we prefer the word ‘return.’ That leaves everything clear, and will enable us to face the county. Our object is to get our _rights_—let the State take care of its justice for itself.” “You can hardly expect that such a proposition should be accepted, Williams?” “I am not so sure of that, Timms; life is sweeter than money even. I should like to hear the answer of your associate, however. You, I can see, have no intention of lessening the marriage portion, if it can be helped.” Such side-hits were so common in court, as between these worthies, that neither thought much of them out of court. But Williams gave a signal proof of the acuteness of his observation, when he expressed a wish to know in what light his proposal was viewed by Dunscomb. That learned gentleman evidently paid more respect to the offer than had been manifested by his associate; and now sat silently ruminating on its nature. Thus directly appealed to, he felt the necessity of giving some sort of an answer. “You have come expressly to make this proposition to us, Mr. Williams?” Dunscomb demanded. “To be frank with you, sir, such is the main object of my visit.” “Of course it is sanctioned by your client, and you speak by authority?” “It is fully sanctioned by my client, who would greatly prefer the plan; and I act directly by his written instructions. Nothing short of these would induce me to make the proposition.” “Very well, sir. Will an answer by ten o’clock this evening meet your views?” “Perfectly so. An answer at any time between this and the sitting of the court to-morrow morning, will fully meet our views. The terms, however, cannot be diminished. Owing to the shortness of the time, it may be well to understand _that_.” “Then, Mr. Williams, I ask a little time for reflection and consultation. We may meet again to-night.” The other assented, rose, coolly helped himself to another segar, and had got as far as the door, when an expressive gesture from Timms induced him to pause. “Let us understand each other,” said the last, with emphasis. “Is this a truce, with a complete cessation of hostilities; or is it only a negotiation to be carried on in the midst of war?” “I hardly comprehend your meaning, Mr. Timms. The question is simply one of taking certain forces—allied forces, they may be called—from the field, and leaving you to contend only with the main enemy. There need be nothing said of a truce, since nothing further can be done until the court opens.” “That may do very well, Williams, for those that haven’t practised in Duke’s as long as myself; but it will not do for me. There is an army of reporters here, at this moment; and I am afraid that the allies of whom you speak have whole corps of skirmishers.”