Mr. Browning next speaks of the three manuscript letters bound into the original book; selects one of these, written by the Count’s advocate, de Archangelis, and gives it, first, in its actual contents, and next, in an imaginary postscript which we are to think of as destined for the recipient’s private ear.  The letter itself is written for the Count’s family and friends; and states, in a tone of solemn regret, that the justifications brought forward by his correspondent arrived too late; that the Pope thought it inexpedient to postpone the execution, or to accept the plea of youth urged in favour of the four accomplices; and that they all died that day.  It declares that the Count suffered in an exemplary manner, amidst the commiseration and respect of all Rome, and that the honour of his house will lose nothing through the catastrophe.

The supplement is conceived in a very different spirit.  The writer laughs at their “pleas” and “proofs,” coming, like Pisan help, when the man is already dead—­“not that twenty such vindications would have done any good—­

       “When Somebody’s thick head-piece once was bent
       On seeing Guido’s drop into the bag.” (vol. x. p. 256.)

Well, people enjoyed the show, but saw through it all the same; and meanwhile his (the writer’s) superb defence goes for nothing; and though argument is solid and subsists

       “While obstinacy and ineptitude
       Accompany the owner to his tomb;” (vol. x. p. 256.)

his hands and his pockets are empty.  Ah well! little Cino will gain by it in the long run.  He had been promised that if papa couldn’t save the Count’s head, he should go and see it chopped off:  and when a patroness of his joked the child on his defeat, and on Bottini’s ruling the roast, the clever rogue retorted that papa knew better than to baulk the Pope of his grudge, and could have argued Bottini’s nose off if he had chosen.  Doesn’t the fop see that he (de Archangelis) can drive right and left horses with one hand?  The Gomez case shall make it up to him.”

The two other letters are in the same strain as the first.  Both are written on the day of the execution.  Both announce it in a condoling manner.  Both allude to the justifications which arrived too late:  and in one or both, the criminal is spoken of as “poor” Signor Guido.  Mr. Browning has preferred, however, representing the other side; and the next which he gives is, like Don Hyacinth’s supplement, only such as might have been written.  It is supposed to be from Pompilia’s advocate Bottinius (or Bottini), and is in keeping with the spirit of his defence.  He is clearly jealous of not having had a worse case to plead.  “He has won,” he says.  “How could he do otherwise? with the plain truth on his side, and the Pope ready to steady it on his legs again if he let it drop asleep.  Arcangeli may crow over him, as it is, for having been kept by him a month at bay—­though even this much was not his doing; the little dandiprat Spreti was the real man.”