When the merits of the case had been set forth anew by the lawyers, after a long session occupied in listening to, not in discussing the facts, the three councillors arose and solemnly deposited their votes in the urn.
The Baron of Henferester, who on that day presided over the court, ordered the recorder to examine the ballot.
Each councillor had written on a slip of paper the name of the party who, in his opinion, had the right of the cause.
The recorder plunged his hand into the urn, drew out a ballot, and read: The Marquis of Létorière.
"That is my vote," said each councillor to himself.
At the second ballot the recorder read again: The Marquis of Létorière.
The councillors began to look at each other uneasily.
On the third ballot the recorder again read: The Marquis of Létorière.
The stupefaction of the three magistrates was complete.
The recorder registered the judgment. All the judicial formalities having been fulfilled, the councillors returned to the council-room.