This was the condition of the case two days after the jury had been selected.

A week had passed since the trial opened; and a Sunday had intervened.
The public who read the reports of the evidence saw no chance for the prisoner's escape.

The crowd of spectators who had watched the trial were moved with the most profound sympathy for Laura.
Mr.Braham opened the case for the defence.

His manner was subdued, and he spoke in so low a voice that it was only by reason of perfect silence in the court room that he could be heard.

He spoke very distinctly, however, and if his nationality could be discovered in his speech it was only in a certain richness and breadth of tone.
He began by saying that he trembled at the responsibility he had undertaken; and he should, altogether despair, if he did not see before him a jury of twelve men of rare intelligence, whose acute minds would unravel all the sophistries of the prosecution, men with a sense, of honor, which would revolt at the remorseless persecution of this hunted woman by the state, men with hearts to feel for the wrongs of which she was the victim.