Alcamayn had succeeded in getting even with his tormentors, and he was secretly glad of it. If it had only been Ildiko who had died instead of Orondo, he would have been entirely satisfied; and, as it was, persuaded himself that he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
He hated Orondo, and the jilted man deemed that justifiable since his rival’s success had been a prime cause of humiliation.
The prisoner was seated on a revolving stool, and made to face each judge and juror while the questions and responses were being given.
One of the most damaging circumstances against Alcamayn was his own soberness compared with Ildiko’s sudden intoxication. He reluctantly admitted that he had deliberately gone to the wedding meditating revenge, and had carefully carried it out at the first opportunity.
The accused did not deny that he was actuated by a petty, mean jealousy, although he scorned the insinuation of loving Ildiko. His deformity told against him greatly, because of the belief that the body was but an outward expression of the inner man.
Each of the four accusers took turn in examining the testimony, analyzing the motives, inquiring minutely into extenuating circumstances; and the judges and jurors were equally divided for and against.
The arguments continued all day, but at sun-down the decision had been reached.
There was no prerogative of pardon. The commonwealth had the right to interfere directly and by isolated acts, to avenge itself on the author of the evil which it had suffered.
“Alcamayn, hast thou aught to say which can delay judgment about to be meted out to thee?”
Yermah spoke perfunctorily.