than suspected,
indeed, that I had penetrated to places, the very name of which could
hardly be mentioned without shame and consternation. That my associates
had been persons of the vilest character and the most brutal
antecedents; and at last, feeling in need of distraction, I had again
returned with the deliberate intention of seducing his unhappy partner
into accompanying me to one or other of the abandoned places I had
visited. He added that Cynthia had been so much overcome by her emotion,
and her natural compassion for an old acquaintance, that he had
persuaded her not to subject herself to the painful strain of an
appearance in public; but that for this action he threw himself upon the
mercy of the Court, who would know that it was only dictated by
chivalrous motives.

At this there was subdued applause, and Lucius, after adding a few
broken words to the effect that he lived only for the maintenance of
order, peace, and happiness, and that he was devoted heart and soul to
the best interests of the community, completely broke down, and was
assisted from his place by friends.

The whole thing was so malignant and ingenious a travesty of what had
happened, that I was entirely at a loss to know what to say. The
President, however, courteously intimated that though the case appeared
to present a good many very unsatisfactory features, yet I was entirely
at liberty to justify myself if I could, and, if not, to make
submission; and added that I should be dealt with as leniently as
possible.

I summoned up my courage as well as I might. I began by saying that I
claimed no more than the liberty of thought and action which I knew the
Court desired to concede. I said that my arrival at the place was
mysterious even to myself, and that I had simply acted under orders in
accompanying Cynthia, and in seeing that she was securely bestowed. I
said that I had never incited any rebellion, or any disobedience to laws
of the scope of which I had never been informed. That I had indeed
frankly discussed matters of general interest with any citizen who
seemed to desire it; that I had been always treated with marked
consideration and courtesy; and that, as far as I was aware, I had
always followed the same policy myself. I said that I was sincerely
attached to Cynthia, but added that, with all due respect, I could no
longer consider myself a member of the community. I had transferred
myself elsewhere under direct orders, with my ow