He imagined he would be overwhelmed and confounded, that he would throw himself at his feet, begging for mercy.
But he was mistaken.
Albert, in spite of his great prostration, found, in one last effort of his will, sufficient strength to recover himself and again protest,--"You are right, sir," he said in a sad, but firm voice; "everything seems to prove me guilty.

In your place, I should have spoken as you have done; yet all the same, I swear to you that I am innocent." "Come now, do you really--" began the magistrate.
"I am innocent," interrupted Albert; "and I repeat it, without the least hope of changing in any way your conviction.

Yes, everything speaks against me, everything, even my own bearing before you.

It is true, my courage has been shaken by these incredible, miraculous, overwhelming coincidences.

I am overcome, because I feel the impossibility of proving my innocence.