needless; justice and mercy would, if it were possible, go hand in hand.  The foreigner, who has voluntarily assumed the name and service of a son of Spain, demands yet more at our hands.  My Lords and holy Fathers, and ye Associated Brethren, remember this important truth, and act accordingly:  but if, on a strict, unprejudiced examination of the evidence against the prisoner, ye pronounce him guilty, be it so:  the scripture saith, ’blood must flow for blood!’”

A universal murmur of assent filled the hall as the King ceased:  his words had thrilled reprovingly on many there present, particularly amongst the populace, who felt, even as the Monarch spoke, the real cause of their violent wrath against the murderer.  Ere, however, they had time to analyze why the violent abhorrence of Stanley should be so calmed merely at the King’s words, the command, “Bring forth the prisoner!” occasioned an intensity of interest and eager movement of the numerous heads towards the base of the hall, banishing every calmer thought.  The treble line of soldiers, forming the base of the crescent, divided in the centre, and wheeling backwards, formed two files of dense thickness, leaving a lane between them through which the prisoner and his guards were discerned advancing to the place assigned.  He was still heavily fettered, and his dress, which he had not been permitted to change, covered with dark, lurid stains, hung so loosely upon him, that his attenuated form bore witness, even as the white cheek and haggard eye, to the intense mental torture of the last fortnight.  His fair hair lay damp and matted on his pale forehead; but still there was that in his whole bearing which, while it breathed of suffering, contradicted every thought of guilt.  He looked round him steadily and calmly, lowered his head a moment in respectful deference to the King, and instantly resumed the lofty carriage which suffering itself seemed inadequate to bend.  King Ferdinand fixed his eyes upon him with an expression before which the hardiest guilt must for the moment have quailed; but not a muscle of the prisoner’s countenance moved, and Ferdinand proceeded to address him gravely, yet feelingly.

“Arthur Stanley,” he said, “we have heard from Don Felix d’Estaban that you have refused our proffered privilege of seeking and employing some friends, subtle in judgment, and learned in all the technicalities of such proceedings, as to-day will witness, to undertake your cause.  Why is this?  Is your honor of such small amount, that you refuse even to accept the privilege of defence?  Are you so well prepared yourself to refute the evidence which has been collected against you, that you need no more?  Or have we indeed heard aright, that you have resolved to let the course of justice proceed, without one effort on your part to avert an inevitable doom?  This would seem a tacit avowal of guilt; else, wherefore call your doom inevitable?  If conscious of innocence, have you no hope, no belief