Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/227

 laughed, when he left the Court, after having put forward that defence, to think that it was received in silence instead of Homeric laughter."

"I had intended to avoid the language of passion. But having the misfortune to sit through these ravings from morning to morning etc."

Strong exception could have been taken to such "" ravings " and Mr. Tilak was nothing, if not extremely jealous of his rights. But he disdained to criticise the satirical language which Mr. Branson used in his speech, which lasted for four hours. The Judge thought it desirable to finish the case that day - — or rather that night ; and so, perhaps the Advocate-General brought his remarks to a hurried close. The Summing-up of the Judge followed — in lamp light, — and it was an adverse charge to the Jury. The Jury retired for consideration at about 8 p.m., and returned at 9-20 P.M. During the dismal silence of more than one hour in the dim gas-light, every friendly heart quailed. The finger on the wall was but too clear; Mr. Tilak, however, was always peculiarly heroic in such moments and in a whisper gave expression to his feelings in the noble words of Lord Krishna "If you are defeated, you rule heaven ; if you win, the world is at your feet." At last, the suspense was over. The Jurors came out and announced the majority verdict of guilty on all charges. They were divided by 7 to 2 ; the Judge agreed with their verdict and before passing any sentence, asked the accused whether he wished to say anything before sentence