"Thou acquittest, then, Jacques Colis of any false intention?"
"He was less strong than he believed himself, mein Herr; he was not equal
to sharing our disgrace, which was put rudely and too strongly before
him."
"Thou hadst consented freely to the marriage thyself, and wert well
disposed to become his wife?"
The imploring look and heaving respiration of Christine were lost on the
blunted sensibilities of a criminal judge.
"Was the youth dear to thee?" he repeated, without perceiving the wound he
was inflicting on female reserve.
Christine shuddered. She was not accustomed to have affections which she
considered the most sacred of her short and innocent existence so rudely
probed; but, believing that the safety of her father depended on her
frankness and sincerity, by an effort that was nearly superhuman, she was
enabled to reply. The bright glow that suffused her face, however,
proclaimed the power of that sentiment which becomes instinctive to her
sex, arraying her features in the lustre of maiden shame.
"I was little used to hear words of praise, Herr Chatelain,--and they are
so soothing to the ears of the despised! I felt as a girl acknowledges the
preference of a youth who is not disagreeable to her.
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