Have you no witnesses?
Not one.
And why not?
Of what use could they be?
You needn’t be so stiff though; a lowlier carriage in your awful situation might be more becoming. You are at liberty to cross-examine the witness, if you are so disposed—
I am not so disposed.
And you may address the jury now, it being your own case.
I have nothing to say ... it being my own case.
Ah! sighed the judge, looking about him with a portentous gravity—You see the end of your tether now ... you see now that He whom you serve is not to be trusted. It is but the other day you were clad with power as with a garment. You were able to make a speech whereby, but for the mercy of God——
I was not on trial for my life when I made that speech. I have something else to think of now.... Let me die in peace.