A brief silence ensued, during which the magistrate pulled at the corner of his tawny mustache, and earnestly regarded the prisoner.  She stood, with her beautiful white hands clasped before her, the slender fingers interlaced, the head thrown proudly back.  Extreme pallor had given place to a vivid flush that dyed her cheeks, and crimsoned her delicate lips; and her eyes looking straight into space, glowed with an unnatural and indescribable lustre.  Tadmor’s queen Bath Zabbai could not have appeared more regal in her haughty pose, amid the exulting shouts that rent the skies of conquering Rome.  The magistrate cleared his throat, and addressed the accused.

“You are Beryl Brentano, the granddaughter of General Darrington?”

“I am Beryl Brentano.”

“You have heard the charges brought against you.  What have you to say in defence?”

“That I am innocent of every accusation.”

“By what witnesses will you prove it?”

“By a statement of the whole truth in detail, if I may be allowed to make it.”

Here the Solicitor, Mr. Churchill, rose and said: 

“While faithfully discharging my official duties, loyalty to justice does not smother the accents of human sympathy; and before proceeding any further, I hope your Honor will appoint some counsel to confer with and advise the prisoner.  Her isolation appeals to every noble instinct of manhood, and it were indeed puerile tribute to our lamented General Darrington, to bring his granddaughter before this tribunal, without the aid and defence of legal advisers.  Justice itself would not be welcome to me, if unjustly won.  My friend, Mr. Hazelton, who is present, has expressed his desire to defend the prisoner; and while I am aware that your Honor is under the impression she refuses to accept counsel, I trust you will nevertheless commit her, until she can confer with him.”

Mr. Hazelton rose and bowed, in tacit approval.

Beryl advanced a few steps, and her clear pure voice thrilled every heart in the crowded room.

“I need no help to tell the truth, and I want to conceal nothing.  Time is inexpressibly valuable to me now, for a human life more precious than my own is at stake; and if I am detained here, my mother may die.  May I speak at once, and explain the circumstances which you consider so mysterious as to justify the shameful indignity put upon me?”

“Since you assume the responsibility of your own defence, you may proceed with your statement.  Relate what occurred from the hour you reached Elm Bluff, until you left X—–­next morning.”