" Thus Phineas Finn was acquitted, and the judges, collecting
up their robes, trooped off from the bench, following the long line
of their assessors who had remained even to that hour to hear the
last word of the trial. Mr. Chaffanbrass collected his papers, with
the assistance of Mr. Wickerby,--totally disregardful of his junior
counsel, and the Attorney and Solicitor-General congratulated each
other on the successful termination of a very disagreeable piece of
business.
And Phineas was discharged. According to the ordinary meaning of the
words he was now to go about his business as he pleased, the law
having no further need of his person. We can understand how in common
cases the prisoner discharged on his acquittal,--who probably in
nine cases out of ten is conscious of his own guilt,--may feel the
sweetness of his freedom and enjoy his immunity from danger with a
light heart. He is received probably by his wife or young woman,--or
perhaps, having no wife or young woman to receive him, betakes
himself to his usual haunts.
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