The canons and novices were ranged on one side,
the guides and muleteers formed a back-ground to the whole, while the fine
form of Sigismund stood, stern and motionless as a statue, on the steps of
the altar which was opposite to the females. He watched the minutest
proceeding of the investigation with a steadiness that was the result of
severe practice in self-command, and a jealous determination to suffer no
new wrong to be accumulated on the head of his father.
When the little confusion produced by the entrance of the party from the
refectory had subsided, the Prior made a signal to one of the officers of
justice. The man disappeared, and shortly returned with one of the
prisoners, the investigation being intended to embrace the cases of all
who had been detained by the prudence of the monks. Balthazar (for it was
he) approached the table in his usual meek manner. His limbs were unbound,
and his exterior calm, though the quick unquiet movements of his eye, and
the workings of his pale features, whenever a suppressed sob from among
the females reached his ear, betrayed the inward struggle he had to
maintain, in order to preserve appearances.
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