about eight
o'clock
Nothing could be more beautiful than the ease with which he extricated the facts of the case from the meshes in which they had been alternately involved by Mr. Subtle and the Attorney-General . As soon as he had explained to them the general principles of law applicable to the case , he placed before them the facts proved by the plaintiff , and then the answer of the defendant : every one in court trembling for the result , if the jury should take the same view which he felt compelled himself to take . The judge suggested that they should retire to consider the case , taking with them the pedigrees which had been handed in to them ; and added that , if they should require his assistance , he should remain in his private room for an hour or two . Both judge and jury then retired , it being about eight o'clock . Candles were lit in the court , which continued crowded to suffocation . Few doubted which way the verdict would go . Fatigued as must have been most of the spectators with a two days ' confinement and excitement , -- ladies as well as gentlemen , -- scarce a person thought of quitting before the verdict had been pronounced .