“I stand at this bar,” said Ralph quietly, “charged with conspiring against the King’s authority.  The time of the alleged treason is specified.  I move this exception to the indictment, that the King of England was dead at the period named.”

There was some shuffling in the court.  The paper had dropped below the eyes.

“You trouble the court with these damnable excursions,” cried Justice Millet, with no attempt to conceal his anger.  “By the law of England the King never dies.  Your plea must be direct,—­’Guilty,’ or ’Not Guilty.’  No man standing in your position at the bar must make any other answer to the indictment.”

“Shall I be heard, my lord?”

“You shall, sir, but only on your trial.”

“I urge a point of law, and I ask for counsel,” said Ralph; “I can pay.”  “You seem to be versed in proceedings of law, young man,” replied the judge, with an undisguised sneer.

The paper dropped below the mouth.

“Mr. Ray,” said Justice Hide, in a friendly tone, “the course is that you should plead.”

“I stand charged, my lord, with no crime.  How, then, shall I plead?”

“Mr. Ray,” said the judge again, “I am sorry to interrupt you.  I hold that a man in your position should have every leniency shown to him.  But these discourses are contrary to all proceedings of this nature.  Will you plead?”

“He must plead, brother; there is no will you?” rejoined the other occupant of the bench.

The paper went up over the eyes once more.  There was some laughter among the men before the table.

“He thinks it cheap to defy the court,” said counsel for the King.

“Brother Millet,” said Justice Hide, “when a prisoner at the bar would plead anything in formality, counsel should be allowed.”

“Oh, certainly, certainly,” replied the judge, recovering his suavity.  Then turning to Ralph, he said,—­

“What is the point of law you urge?”

“What I am accused of doing,” replied Ralph, “was done under the command of the Parliament, when the Parliament was the supreme power.”

“Silence, sir,” cried Justice Millet.  “The Parliament was made up of a pack of usurpers with a low mechanic fellow at their head.  Gentlemen,” turning with a gracious smile to the jury, “you will remember what I said.”

“The Parliament was appointed by the people,” replied Ralph quietly, “and recognized by foreign princes.”

“It was only a third part of the constitution.”

“It did not live in a corner.  The sound of it went out among many nations.”

Ralph still spoke calmly.  The spectators held their breath.

“Do you know where you are, sir?” cried the judge, now grown scarlet with anger.  “You are in the court of his Majesty the King.  Would you have the boldness here, before the faces of the servants of that gracious Prince, to justify your crimes by claiming for them the authority of usurpers?” “I am but charged,” replied Ralph, “with putting my hand to that plough which all men were then compelled to follow.  I am but accused of fidelity to that cause which some of my prosecutors, as I see, did themselves at first submit to, and afterwards betray.”