The jurors were in attendance.

The crown-counsel, employed in looking over their briefs and notes of evidence, looked grave, and whispered with each other.

They occupied one side of a large table placed beneath the bench; on the other sat the advocates, whom the humanity of the Scottish law (in this particular more liberal than that of the sister-country) not only permits, but enjoins, to appear and assist with their advice and skill all persons under trial.

Mr.Nichil Novit was seen actively instructing the counsel for the panel (so the prisoner is called in Scottish law-phraseology), busy, bustling, and important.

When they entered the Court-room, Deans asked the Laird, in a tremulous whisper, "Where will _she_ sit ?" Dumbiedikes whispered Novit, who pointed to a vacant space at the bar, fronting the judges, and was about to conduct Deans towards it.
"No!" he said; "I cannot sit by her--I cannot own her--not as yet, at least--I will keep out of her sight, and turn mine own eyes elsewhere--better for us baith." Saddletree, whose repeated interference with the counsel had procured him one or two rebuffs, and a special request that he would concern himself with his own matters, now saw with pleasure an opportunity of playing the person of importance.