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. O, dear Sir! you little know the painful conflict in this bosom.

I can guess at it, Sir. But does Van Maurice, since his imprisonment, still continue to assert his innocence?

Of course he does. Is any man's assertion or oath regarded in a matter of this nature?

Yes, Sir; there are some men, whose simple word will go far in a matter of any nature, and Van Maurice is one of those.

Ah, my good Sir; there is a prepossession in your mind, but let my wretched kinsman have, the benefit of it; I wish not to remove it. Indeed I knew of this prepossession beforehand; and that I applied to you for the conduct of this prosecution, notwithstanding, shows how little I am disposed to deal hardly with the prisoner.—But here come the men whom you may question.

Let them pass into the further apartment. [Exeunt Officers.