The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 196: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee NE THE MYSTERINS OF THE OOURT. the accused meets at the threshold those who first hurry in response to that alarmingsummons. The position of the door prevents these maids from upon the tongue of a victim who thus suddenly passed from the sleep of life into that which death forbids from waking. But you will be told, gentlemen Oe TREY: Ca toe gr Een are nee wae too to assumed—that her manner, when arrested, was that of an innocent person outraged erroneous as it was foul—and that festation of fortitude is no more an evidence of outraged innocence, than a complete sinking into should be taken asa proof of guilt. Some minds sustain themeclves boldly throughout a career of crime: while others, really innocent, sink crushed and broken beneath the slightest im- putation of guilt. Then, too, gentlemen of the jary, you will be told that the accused had no earthly reason for committing such a crime—that by the death of her husband she frustrated tho chance of his shattered fortunes being retrieved— and that she reduced herself to comparative poverty on a widow's pension, whereas, had he lived, she might still have ehared the liberal revenue enjoyed by a General-officer. You will be told, too, that her conduct as a woman and a wife has been unexceptionable—that the breath of suspicion has never tainted her fame—and that it could not therefore be to enjoy without restraint the embraces of a paramour, she had been led to the ion of such a crime. But it is not for you to set yourselves up as judges of motives: you have to decide upon the evidence of facts. How many secret springs are there in the human mind, which remain concealed from general obser- vation, and which it is impossible to fathom! How many incidents have we on record of great deeds tS = -|another than with him whose image of turpitude—known and unmistakably proven— which were committed without any apparent mo- fave! But perhaps, when the presiding judge shall in the prisoner, it may transpire that she had a motive—or at least a hope, in doing this deed,—supposing, according to the terms of the indictment, that she did really perpetrate it. There are incidents where first affections have been blighted—where a marriage has taken place with filled the heart—and where the husband has been immolated in the hope that after due time a second marriage may put that heart in possession of its long- cherished object. I do not say that such is the case in the present instance: but I believe that I am not altogether without a justifiable ground for making the allusions just spoken.” The speech of the King’s Procurator, which lasted four hours, produced an immense sensation in the Court; and many who had come thither in the belief of the Baroness de Charlemont’s inno- cence, had their faith considerably shaken: while others, still more easily led away by the power of forensic oratory, were turned altogether against her. Whatscever emotions were passing in her mind, could not be eonjectured by the audjence generally; inasmuch as throughout the Procura- tor’s address she kept her eyes bent down, and her features were thus concealed by the front of the dock. But now came the interrogatory of the prisoner by the presiding judge—a feature in French criminal proceedings totally unknown to our English tribunals. The Baroness stood up: not a single glance did she turn towards the audi- tory: her eyes were fixed on the judicial bench. Her demeanour was firm and collected—but her cheeks were pale; and indeed it was impossible that she could have done otherwise than feel much inwardly: for it was a matter of life or death to her—and that death, if pronounced as her doom, to be inflicted by the guillotine! The President proceeded to question her in the usual manner,—first of all inquiring her age and maiden name, the country to which she belonged, and the date of her marriage. He then asked whether she were acquainted with a certain Count de St. Gerard? When this question was put, a breathless silence reigned on the part of the audi- tory: the deepest suspense prevailed. <A few mo- ments elapsed before the Baroness answered the query; and then she replied in the affirmative. The President next inquired whether she had not at one time experienced a certain affection for that young nobleman? To this demand an affirmative response was likewise given; and now the voice of the Baroness trembled audibly. She was asked under what circumstances she was led to marry the Baron de Charlemont, when her heart inclined towards another P “I was poor—and the Baron was rich,” an- ewered Adelaide, her voice again trembling, and now with a still more visible emotion. “ My aunt, to whom I was under the utmost obligations, was likewise poor. I should have made no sacrifice of the feelings to procure the enjoyment of riches for myself: but I was prepared to make every sacrifice on account of my aunt” “Then you consider that you were making » sacrifice,” inquired the President, “by espousing the Baron de Charlemont ?” (COL (C DOO _ © CS (COL