“It did not live in a corner. The sound of it went out among many nations.”
Ralph still spoke calmly. The spectators held their breath.
“Do you know where you are, sir?” cried the judge, now grown scarlet with anger. “You are in the court of his Majesty the King. Would you have the boldness here, before the faces of the servants of that gracious Prince, to justify your crimes by claiming for them the authority of usurpers?” “I am but charged,” replied Ralph, “with putting my hand to that plough which all men were then compelled to follow. I am but accused of fidelity to that cause which some of my prosecutors, as I see, did themselves at first submit to, and afterwards betray.”
At this there were loud murmurs in the court. The paper had fallen from the face of Justice Hide. His brother justice was livid with rage.
“What fellow is this?” said the latter judge, with obvious uneasiness. “A dalesman from the mountains, did you say?”
“Dalesman or not, my lord, a cunning and dangerous man,” replied counsel.
“I see already that he is one who is ready to say anything to save his miserable life.”
“Brother Millet,” interrupted the other judge, “you have rightly observed that this is a court of his Gracious Majesty. Let us conduct it as such.”
There was a rustle of gowns before the table and some whispering in the court.
“Mr. Ray, you have heard the indictment. It charges you as a false traitor against his Most Gracious Majesty, your supreme and natural lord. The course is for you to plead Guilty or Not Guilty.”