He himself scarcely knew what he was saying, and heard his own voice as vaguely as though it were the distant roar of waves.
However, he succeeded in clearly stating all that had happened: he showed the assembly the stone which had been stolen and recovered; he explained how the thief had been taken; he declared Paula's freedman to be guilty of the robbery, and called upon him to bring forward anything he could in his own defence.

But the accused could only stammer out that he was not guilty.

He was not able to defend himself, but his mistress could no doubt give evidence that would justify him.
Orion pushed the hair from his forehead, proudly raised his aching head, and addressed the judges: "His mistress is a lady of rank allied to our house.

Let us keep her out of this odious affair as is but seemly.

Her nurse gave Nilus some information which may perhaps avail to save this unhappy man.