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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from An Historical Mystery by Honore de Balzac: prisoners, were convinced of their guilt. In a court of justice the
sentiments of the crowd do unquestionably weigh upon the judges and
the jury, and /vice versa/. Seeing this condition of the minds about
him, which could be felt if not defined, the counsel uttered his last
words in a tone of passionate excitement caused by his conviction:--
"In the name of the accused," he cried, "I forgive you for the fatal
error you are about to commit, and which nothing can repair! We are
the victims of some mysterious and Machiavellian power. Marthe Michu
was inveigled by vile perfidy. You will discover this too late, when
the evil you now do will be irreparable."
Bordin simply claimed the acquittal of the prisoners on the testimony
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