“All this is very wrong, Timms. For a long time I have known that you have exercised an extraordinary influence over the jurors of Duke’s; but this is the first occasion on which you have been frank enough to reveal the process.” “Because this is the first occasion on which we have ever had a capital case together. In the present state of public opinion in Duke’s, I much question whether we can get a jury empannelled in this trial at all.” “The Supreme Court will then send us to town, by way of mending the matter. Apropos, Timms——” “One word if you please, ’Squire; what does _à propos_ really mean? I hear it almost every day, but never yet knew the meaning.” “It has shades of difference in its signification—as I just used it, it means ‘speaking of _that_.’” “And is it right to say à propos _to_ such a thing?” “It is better to say à propos _of_, as the French do. In old English it was always _to_; but in our later mode of speaking, we say ‘of.’” “Thank you, sir. You know how I glean my knowledge in driblets; and out in the country not always from the highest authorities. Plain and uncouth as I know I appear to you, and to Miss Sarah, I have an ambition to be a gentleman. Now, I have observation enough to see that it is these little matters, after all, and not riches and fine clothes, that make gentlemen and ladies.” “I am glad you have so much discrimination, Timms; but, you must permit me to remark, that you will never make a gentleman until you learn to let your nose alone.” “Thank you, sir—I am thankful for even the smallest hints on manners. It’s a pity that so handsome and so agreeable a young lady should be hanged, Mr. Dunscomb!” “Timms, you are as shrewd a fellow, in your own way, as I know. Your law does not amount to any great matter, nor do you take hold of the strong points of a case very often; but you perform wonders with the weaker. In the way of an opinion on facts, I know few men more to be relied on. Tell me, then, frankly, what do you think of the guilt or innocence of Mary Monson?” Timms screwed up his mouth, passed a hand over his brow, and did not answer for near a minute. “Perhaps it is right, after all, that we should understand each other on this subject,” he then said. “We are associated as counsel, and I feel it a great honour to be so associated, ’Squire Dunscomb, I give you my word; and it is proper that we should be as free with each other as brothers. In the first place, then, I never saw such a client before, as this same lady—for lady I suppose we must call her until she is convicted——” “Convicted!—You cannot think there is much danger of _that_, Timms?” “We never know, sir; we never know. I have lost cases of which I was sure, and gained them of which I had no hopes—cases which I certainly ought not to have gained—ag’in all law and the facts.” “Ay, that came of the horse-shed, and the sleeping of two in a bed.”