Yet, despite all their endeavours, Charles persisted in refusing the aid of all legal talent, saying—
“I have avowed my guilt. No one is responsible but myself, and I am willing to suffer the utmost penalty of the law.”
When his day of trial came on there was a considerable muster of India House clerks and others in court, who, because he was unfortunate, were loud in their denunciation of the prisoner.
Dame Worthington, Mistress Haylark and Clara were present also, and as Charley, good looking and gallant in bearing, stood in the dock and pleaded “guilty” to the charge preferred, Clara and the old dame gave vent to their tears copiously, and fainted.
As the India House had been reimbursed “by some unknown individual” for the sum lost, the directors refused to prosecute, out of respect to old Sir Richard, who, it was well known, entertained great love for the accused.
Charley’s penalty was not so great as many expected.
Previous to his present fault, he had borne an irreproachable character, which tended much to lighten his sentence.
He was condemned to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
Had it not been through much influence at Court, and the blazing report of Wildfire Ned’s glorious deeds, he would have suffered death.
When returned to his cell, he was visited by a few friends, who congratulated him on his escape from a heavier penalty, and among the visitors was Phillip Redgill, Esq.