BaconwasinstructedbytheKingtodrawupapaperofallthepointsof“mercyandfavour“toSomersetwhichmightresultfromtheevidence；andSomersetwasagainrecommendedtopleadguilty，andpromisedthatnoevilshouldensuetohim。

　　TheCountesswasfirsttried。Shetrembledandshedtearsduringthereadingoftheindictment，and，inalowvoice，pleadedguilty。Onbeingaskedwhysentenceofdeathshouldnotbepassedagainsther，sherepliedmeekly，“Icanmuchaggravate，butnothingextenuatemyfault。Idesiremercy，andthatthelordswillintercedeformewiththeKing。“Sentenceofdeathwaspasseduponher。

　　NextdaytheEarlwasbroughttotrial。HeappearstohavemistrustedthepromisesofJames，andhepleadednotguilty。Withaself-possessionandconfidence，whichhefelt，probably，fromhisknowledgeoftheKing’scharacter，herigorouslycross-examinedthewitnesses，andmadeastubborndefence。Afteratrialwhichlastedelevenhours，hewasfoundguilty，andcondemnedtothefelon’sdeath。

　　WhatevermayhavebeenthesecretsbetweenthecriminalandtheKing，thelatter，notwithstandinghisterrificoath，wasafraidtosignthedeath-warrant。Itmight，perchance，havebeenhisown。TheEarlandCountesswerecommittedtotheTower，wheretheyremainedfornearlyfiveyears。Attheendofthisperiod，tothesurpriseandscandalofthecommunity，andthedisgraceofitschiefmagistrate，theybothreceivedtheroyalpardon，butwereorderedtoresideatadistancefromthecourt。Havingbeenfoundguiltyoffelony，theestatesoftheEarlhadbecomeforfeited；butJamesgrantedhimoutoftheirrevenuesanincomeof4，000poundsperannum！Shamelessnesscouldgonofurther。

　　Oftheafterlifeofthesecriminalsnothingisknown，exceptthatthelovetheyhadformerlyborneeachotherwaschangedintoaversion，andthattheylivedunderthesameroofformonthstogetherwithouttheinterchangeofaword。

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