The issue was
consequently made up without delay--the indictment was read--the
prisoner put himself upon God and the country, according to the usual
forms, and the case proceeded.
The general impression of the spectators was decidedly in favor of the
accused. His youth--the noble bearing--the ease, the unobtrusive
confidence--the gentle expression, pliant and, though sad, yet entirely
free from anything like desponding weakness--all told in his favor. He
was a fine specimen of the southern gentleman--the true nobleman of that
region, whose pride of character is never ostentatiously displayed and
is only to be felt in the influence which it invariably exercises over
all with whom it may have contact or connection. Though firm in every
expression, and manly in every movement, there was nothing in the habit
and appearance of Ralph, which, to the eye of those around, savored of
the murderer. There was nothing ruffianly or insincere. But, as the
testimony proceeded--when the degree of intimacy was shown which had
existed between himself and the murdered man--when they heard that
Forrester had brought him wounded and fainting to his home--had attended
him--had offered even to fight for him with Rivers; when all these facts
were developed, in connection with the sudden flight of the person so
befriended--on the same night with him who had befriended him--he having
a knowledge of the proposed departure of the latter-and with the finding
of the bloody dagger marked with the youth's initials--the feeling of
sympathy very perceptibly underwent a change.
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