“I believe in everything but human justice, and Divine mercy.”

“Your conscience tells you that—­”

“Am I allowed a conscience?  What ghastly mockery!  Thieves and murderers are not fit tenements for conscience, and I—­I—­am accused of stealing, and of bloodshed.  Justice!  What a horrible sham!  We—­ her victims—­who adored the beneficent and incorruptible attribute of God Himself—­we are undeceived, when Justice—­the harpy—­tears our hearts out with her hideous, foul, defiling claws.”

She spoke through set teeth, and a spasm of shuddering shook her from head to feet.

“Listen to me.  Suspicion is one thing, proof something very different.  You are accused, but not convicted, and—­”

“I shall be.  Justice must be appeased, and I am the most convenient and available victim.  An awful crime has been committed, and outraged law, screaming for vengeance, pounces like a hungry hawk on an innocent and unsuspecting prey.  Does she spare the victim because it quivers, and dies hard?”

“Hush!  You must not despair.  I believe in your innocence; I believe every word you uttered that day was true, and I believe that our merciful God will protect you.  Put yourself in His hands, and His mercy will save, for ‘it endureth forever.’”

“I don’t ask mercy!  I claim justice—­from God and man.  The wicked grovel, and beg for mercy; but innocence lays hold upon the very throne of God, and clutches His sword, and demands justice!”

“I understand how you feel, and I do not wonder; but for your own sake, in order to keep your mind clear and strong for your vindication, you certainly ought to take care of your health.  Starvation is the surest leech for depleting soul and body.  Do you want to die here in prison, leaving your name tarnished, and smirched with suspicion of crime, when you can live to proclaim your innocence to the world?  Remember that even if you care nothing for your life, you owe something to your mother.  You have two chances yet; the Grand Jury may not find a true bill—­”

“Yes, that tiger-eyed lawyer will see that they do.  He knows that the law is a cunning net for the feet of the innocent and the unwary.  He set his snare dexterously, and will not fail to watch it.”

“You mean Mr. Dunbar?  Yes, you certainly have cause to dread him; but even if you should be indicted, you have twelve human hearts full of compassion to appeal to—­and I can’t think it possible a jury of sane men could look at you and condemn you.  You must fight for your life; and what is far more to you than life, you must fight for your good name, for your character.  Suspicion is not proof of crime, and there is no taint on you yet; for sin alone stains, and if you will only be brave and clear yourself as I know you can, what a grand triumph it will be.  If you starve yourself you seal your doom.  An empty stomach will do you more harm than the Grand Jury and all the lawyers;