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Chapter 86

           Therestandtheysidebyside—soldiersandcitizens—dragoons,riflemen,infantry,andartillery,interspersedamongplanters,hunters,horse-dealers,anddesperateadventurers,havingjustheardthe"Oyez!"oftheCourtcrier—grotesquelypronounced"Oyes!"—determinedtostandtheretilltheyhearthelastsolemnformularyfromthelipsofthejudge:"MayGodhavemercyonyoursoul!"

           Thereisscarceonepresentwhodoesnotexpecterenighttolistentothisterriblefinalphrase,spokenfromundertheshadowofthatsablecap,thatdenotesthedeathdoomofafellowcreature.

           Theremaybeonlyafewwhowishit.Buttherearemanywhofeelcertain,thatthetrialwillendinaconviction;andthaterethesunhasset,thesoulofMauriceGeraldwillgobacktoitsGod!

           ***

           TheCourtisinsession.

           Youhavebeforeyourmind’seyealargehall,witharaiseddaïsatoneside;aspaceenclosedbetweenpanelledpartitions;atableinsideit;andonitsedgeabox-likestructure,resemblingtherostrumofalecture-room,orthereading-deskinachurch.

           Youseejudgesinerminerobes;barristersinwigsofgrey,andgownsofblack,withsolicitorsattendingonthem;clerks,ushers,andreporters;bluepolicemenwithbrightbuttonsstandinghereandthere;andatthebackaseaofheadsandfaces,notalwayskemptorclean.

           Youobserve,moreover,acertainsubduedlookonthecountenancesofthespectators—notsomuchanairofdecorum,asafearofinfringingtheregulationsoftheCourt.

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