cast, but exquisitely formed, and eyes which, but for the mellow softness of their expression, an eagle might have envied for their transparent brilliancy.  The fame of his love for the Cooleen Bawn had come before him.  The judge surveyed him with deep interest; so did every eye that could catch a view of his countenance; but, above all, were those in the gallery riveted upon him with a degree of interest—­and, now that they had seen him, of sympathy—­which we shall not attempt to describe.  Some of them were so deeply affected that they could not suppress their tears, which, by the aid of their handkerchiefs, they endeavored to conceal as well as they could.  Government, in this case, as it was not one of political interest, did not prosecute.  A powerful bar was retained against Reilly, but an equally powerful one was engaged for him, the leading lawyer being, as we have stated, the celebrated advocate Fox, the Curran of his day.

The charge against him consisted of only two counts—­that of robbing Squire Folliard of family jewels of immense value, and that of running away with his daughter, a ward of Chancery, contrary to her consent and inclination, and to the laws in that case made and provided.

The first witness produced was the sheriff—­and, indeed, to state the truth, a very reluctant one was that humane gentleman on the occasion.  Having been sworn, the leading counsel proceeded: 

“You are the sheriff of this county?”

“I am.”

“Are you aware that jewellery to a large amount was stolen recently from Mr. Folliard?”

“I am not.”

“You are not?  Now, is it not a fact, of which you were an eye-witness, that the jewellery in question was found upon the person of the prisoner at the bar, in Mr. Folliard’s house?”

“I must confess that I saw him about to be searched, and that a very valuable case of jewellery was found upon his person.”

“Yes, found upon his person—­a very valuable case of jewellery, the property of Mr. Folliard, found upon his person; mark that, gentlemen of the jury.”

“Pardon me,” said the sheriff, “I saw jewellery found upon him; but I cannot say on my oath whether it belonged to Mr. Folliard or not; all I can say is, that Mr. Folliard claimed the jewels as his.”

“As his—­just so.  Nobody had a better right to claim them than the person to whom they belonged.  What took place on the occasion?”

“Why, Mr. Folliard, as I said, claimed them, and Mr. Reilly refused to give them up to him.”

“You hear that, gentlemen—­refused to surrender him the property of which he had robbed him, even in his own house.”

“And when you searched the prisoner?”

“We didn’t search him; he refused to submit to a search.”

“Refused to submit to a search!  No wonder, I think!  But, at the time he refused to submit to a search, had he the jewellery upon his person?”