“Perhaps I do, Mr. Dunscomb, and perhaps I do _not_. You are enigmatical this morning; I cannot be certain.” “In one short half-hour the bell of yonder court-house will ring, when you are to be tried for your life.” The cheek of the accused blanched a little; but its colour soon returned, while her eye assumed a look even prouder than common. “Let it come”—was her quiet answer—“the innocent need not tremble. These two pure beings have promised to accompany me to the place of trial, and to give me _their_ countenance. Why, then, should I hesitate?” “I shall go, too”—said Millington, steadily, like one whose mind was made up. “You!—Well, for the sake of this dear one, you may go, too.” “For no other reason, Mary?” “For no other reason, sir. I am aware of the interest you and Mr. Wilmeter have taken in my case; and I thank you both from the bottom of my heart. Ah! kindness was never lost on me——” A flood of tears, for the first time since her imprisonment, so far as any one knew, burst from this extraordinary being; and, for a few minutes, she became woman in the fullest meaning of the term. During this interval Dunscomb retired, perceiving that it was useless to urge anything on his client while weeping almost convulsively; and aware that he had several things to do before the court met. Besides, he left the place quite satisfied on an all-important point; and he and Millington walked by themselves towards the court-house, their heads close together, and their voices reduced nearly to whispers. CHAPTER XX. “I blush, and am confounded to appear Before thy presence, Cato.” “What’s thy crime?” “I am a Numidian.” _Cato._ Within the half hour mentioned by Dunscomb the court-house bell rang, and there was a rush towards that building, in order to secure seats for the approaching trial. All that has been related in the preceding chapter occurred between the hours of six and nine that morning, it being one of the “ways of the hour” in the march of improvement, to drive the administration of justice with as near an approach to railroad speed as is practicable. Many of the modern judges go to work as early as eight in the morning—perhaps most do in the country circuits—and continue to call causes until nine and ten at night, illustrating the justice of the land by means of agents who are half asleep, and stupid from fatigue.