These considerations were yet to come.
The oath was administered; she began her narration, but at the very
outset, the difficulties of her situation beset her. How was she to save
the man she loved? How, but by showing the guilt of her uncle? How was
she to prove that the dirk of the youth was not in his possession at the
time of the murder? By showing that, just before that time, it was in
the possession of Munro, who was setting forth for the express purpose
of murdering the very man, now accused and held guilty of the same
crime. The fearful gathering of thoughts and images, thus, without
preparation, working in her mind, again destroyed the equilibrium by
which her truer senses would have enforced her determination to proceed.
Her head swam, her words were confused and incoherent, and perpetually
contradictory. The hope which her presence had inspired as suddenly
departed; and pity and doubt were the prevailing sentiments of the
spectators.
After several ineffectual efforts to proceed, she all at once seemed
informed of the opinions around her, and gathering new courage from the
dreadful thought now forcing itself upon her mind, that what she had
said had done nothing toward her object, she exclaimed impetuously,
advancing to the judge, and speaking alternately from him to the jury
and the counsel--
"He is _not_ guilty of this crime, believe me.
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