Pagina 131 di 483

"I commit my cause to the justice of my judges, yet I see no room

for hope. I beg permission to have a few witnesses examined

concerning my character, and if their testimony shall not

overweigh my supposed guilt, I must be condemned, although I

would pledge my salvation on my innocence."

Several witnesses were called who had known her for many years,

and they spoke well of her; but fear and hatred of the crime of

which they supposed her guilty rendered them timorous and

unwilling to come forward. Elizabeth saw even this last resource,

her excellent dispositions and irreproachable conduct, about to

fail the accused, when, although violently agitated, she desired

permission to address the court.