"The greater part of the evidence brought against me is true; the
circumstances recorded against me really occurred; the letter just read
was penned by my own hand; yet, in the face of these overwhelming
facts, I declare myself innocent of the crime laid to my charge. I know
not in what manner my father met his death. I am as ignorant as you can
be of the hand that dealt the fatal blow. I confess that I sought his
presence with the dreadful determination of committing murder; but the
crime was against myself. For this I deserve punishment--for this I am
content to die: to this charge, made by myself, I plead guilty. I look
around me--in every face I see doubt and doom. I stand here a mark and
scorn to the whole world; but, though all unite in my condemnation, I
still fearlessly and distinctly declare my innocence. I am neither a
parricide nor a murderer! and I now await my sentence with the calmness
and fortitude which a clear conscience alone can give."
Murmurs of disapprobation ran though the court.
"What a hypocrite!" muttered some, as the jury left the court to consult
together about the verdict.
"Do you observe the striking likeness between the prisoner at the bar
and his cousin, the second witness against him?" whispered a gentleman
in the crowd to a friend near him. "By Jove, 'tis a fearful resemblance.
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