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"She is innocent, my Elizabeth," said I, "and that shall be

proved; fear nothing, but let your spirits be cheered by the

assurance of her acquittal."

"How kind and generous you are! every one else believes in her

guilt, and that made me wretched, for I knew that it was

impossible: and to see every one else prejudiced in so deadly a

manner rendered me hopeless and despairing." She wept.

"Dearest niece," said my father, "dry your tears. If she is, as

you believe, innocent, rely on the justice of our laws, and the

activity with which I shall prevent the slightest shadow of

partiality."

Chapter 8