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 spoke; but the Judge was allowed to pace once or twice across the room without interruption, when he cried—

"Our plans are defeated, girl; the obstinacy of the Leather-stocking has brought down the indignation of the law on his devoted head, and it is out of my power to avert it."

"How? in what manner?'* cried Elizabeth; "the fine is nothing; surely"—

"I did not I could not anticipate that an old, a friendless man, like him, would dare to oppose the officers of justice," interrupted the Judge; "I supposed that he would submit to the search, when the fine could have been paid, and the law would have been appeased; but now he will have to meet its rigour."

"And what must the punishment be, sir?" asked Edwards, in an agitated voice.

Marmaduke turned quickly to the spot where the youth had withdrawn, and exclaimed—

"You here! I did not observe you. I know not what it will be, sir; it is not usual for a Judge to decide, until he has heard the testimony, and the jury have convicted. Of one thing, however, you may be assured, Mr. Ed wards; it shall be whatever the law demands, notwithstanding any momentary weakness I may have exhibited, because the luckless man has been of such eminent service to my daughter."

"No one, I believe, doubts the sense of justice which Judge Temple entertains!" returned Edwards, bitterly. "But let us converse calmly, sir. Will not the years, the habits, nay the ignorance of my old friend, avail him any thing against such a charge?"

"Ought they? I may ask," returned Marmaduke. "They may extenuate, but can they acquit? Would any society be tolerable, young