eath.

When Sybil saw these people, she shivered and turned pale--not with fear
of their testimony, for she had nerved herself to meet that, but with
the sudden recollection of the appalling circumstances under which she
had last met them, and which their appearance now called up in all its
first horror.

The magistrate's clerk now handed Sybil a chair. She then raised her
veil, bowed to Squire Hawkins, and took her seat.

The proceedings were commenced.

The witnesses for the prosecution were one after the other duly sworn
and examined; and they deposed to the fatally condemning circumstances
attending the murder of Rosa Blondelle as they are already known to the
reader.

This examination occupied about an hour. At its close the magistrate
turned to the accused lady, and inquired what she had to say in defence.

Sybil arose, and answered by giving the explanation that she had already
made, on the night of the murder.

The magistrate heard her through, but then instructed her that her
unsupported assertion was no evidence, and would not be received as
such, and called upon her to produce her witnesses.

Sybil was about to answer that she had no witnesses to produce, when a
look from her counsel arrested her speech.

He respectfully took her hand, replaced her in her seat, and then
standing up, he said:

"My client has given a true explanation of the facts that have led so
many persons to a false conclusion. But all further defence, we reserve
for a higher tribunal."

And having said this, he sat down. He knew that no amount of defence
would now save Sybil from being committed for trial, and his object was
therefore to shorten this ordeal.

The magistrate then directed his clerk to make out the mittimus. When
the instrument was ready, he signed it and looked around for some
officer to execute it.

"I will take charge of the warrant and the lady," said the high sheriff,
interposing.

"You, Mr. Fortescue!" exclaimed the magistrate, in surprise at the
condescension of the high sheriff.

"Yes, I," coolly answered the latter.

"But Mr. Magistrate, we are prepared to offer bail," put in Sybil's
counsel.

"Not a bailable case, Mr. Sheridan, as you, being a lawyer, should be
very well aware. No case in which the prisoner is arrested upon the
charge of a capital crime can be bailed."

"I believe you speak of a rule. I speak of an exception. This lady was
not arrested. She came forward, in the consciousnes