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 They found the prisoner guilty. The Judge drew on the black cap.

Aram received his sentence in profound composure. Before he left the bar, he drew himself up to his full height, and looked slowly around the court with that thrilling and almost sublime unmovedness of aspect, which belonged to him alone of all men, and which was rendered yet more impressive by a smile, slight, but eloquent beyond all words—of a soul collected in itself;—no forced and convulsive effort, vainly masking the terror or the pang; no mockery of self that would mimic contempt for others, but more in majesty than bitterness; rather as daring fate than defying the judgment of others;—rather as if he wrapt himself in the independence of a quiet, than the disdain of a despairing, heart!