ds.

Placed in a situation the most eligible that any
woman could desire, with supplies so ample that I
was left rich after every wish was gratified;
blessed in the affections of the most generous man
as a husband, what could induce me to commit such
a crime? Depraved indeed must that mind be that
under such circumstances could be so culpable.

You will hear from my noble and truly respectable
friends what has been my conduct and character for
a long series of years; you will hear what has
been, and what is now, their opinion of me. Can
you suppose that disposition so totally altered,
as to lose all recollection of the situation I
held in society--to hazard for this meanness my
character and reputation, or to endanger the
health and peace of mind of a husband whom I would
die for?

Here her voice faltered; she seemed to be on the point of fainting, and
Mr. Leigh Perrot, who had sustained all this trying scene with wonderful
resolution, put his handkerchief to his face and wept in agony; many
persons in Court, even amongst the counsel, participating in his
emotion.

The prisoner continued:--

You have heard their evidence against me. I shall
make no comment upon it--I shall leave that task
where I am certain it will be executed with
justice and mercy. I know my own oath in this case
is inadmissible, but I call upon that God whom we
all adore to attest that I am innocent of this
charge, and may He reward or punish me as I speak
true or false in denying it. I call that God to
witness that I did not know that I had the lace in
my possession, nor did I know it when Mrs. Gregory
accosted me in the street. I have nothing more to
add.

Then followed the evidence for the prisoner, which was chiefly evidence
to character, and came from persons occupying prominent positions who
knew her well, either at her Berkshire home or at Bath.

The judge's summing up occupied nearly an hour. In it he said that it
was impossible that any person should have a higher character than the
prisoner; but if the jury were satisfied with the evidence for the
prosecution and believed it, that character ought not to avail her. If,
however, upon taking all