nions, religious principles, and her whole, pure and artless life,
is not, and could not be intentionally guilty of the act in question.
I request time to produce these references. My young companion took
the lace in a moment of bewilderment--of absence of mind. She has just
arrived in London--is dazzled and excited. If, sir, you have a sister,
a daughter, a mother, a wife, picture her--after such a careless
accident--grasped by a policeman, dragged through the streets, exposed
to the eyes of the jesting crowd--the blackest construction put upon
her action, shrinking before a magistrate, cast into prison, and, God
knows what else!--and all because of an act, not in reality more
inexplicable than that of a man who walks off with a hat not his own,
or another person's umbrella--in a fit of forgetfulness."

Jennings leaned over and whispered something to Mr. Blanchard.

"It is quite probable," said Mr. Blanchard, "that you believe her
innocent, but the various and glaring circumstances do not permit me
to be of your opinion. The expressive flight, the intervening time,
long enough to discover a mistake merely accidental--the bribe of
L50--no--no--it is impossible," said he, rising, "I am sorry for you,
sir, but this matter rests no longer with me. The prisoner must be
removed."

"What I ask," said Franklin, "is not her release. It is only time to
make you acquainted with the proofs of which the case is susceptible.
The 'prisoner,' as you call her, is as innocent as the snow yet
unfallen from heaven. I do not ask you to sacrifice what you fancy
your duty, I ask you only to pause ere you execute it. I request you
ere you thrust a shrinking girl, as a suspected thief, before the
public, that you more carefully examine her side of the question. Her
bankers, the Messrs. Baring, will answer for her presence whenever you
desire. My banker will answer for her. The American Minister will
satisfy you of the strong impropriety of any other proceeding. Oh!
sir, in the name of a mother's breaking heart--in the name of sweet
girlish innocence--in the name of God, believe what I say! If you err,
err on the side of mercy. Think, when you lay your head this night on
your pillow, the day has not been lost, for it was marked by an act of
mercy. Think, when on your death-bed, you plead at the throne of God,
He has said, 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.'
If she really had committed the offence, I should not fear to as