I thought he loved
me--and--what would you more, mein Herr?"
"None could hate thee, innocent and abused child!" murmured the Signor
Grimaldi.
"You forget that I am Balthazar's daughter, mein Herr; none of our race
are viewed with favor."
"Thou, at least, must be an exception!"
"Leaving this aside," continued the chatelain, "I would know if thy
parents showed resentment at the misconduct of thy betrothed; whether
aught was said in thy presence, that can throw light on this unhappy
affair?"
The officer of the Valais turned his head aside; for he met the surprised
and displeased glance of the Genoese, whose eye expressed a gentleman's
opinion at hearing a child thus questioned in a matter that so nearly
touched her father's life. But the look and the improper character of the
examination escaped the notice of Christine. She relied with filial
confidence on the innocence of the author of her being, and, so far from
being shocked, she rejoiced with the simplicity and confidence of the
undesigning at being permitted to say anything that might vindicate him in
the eyes of his judges.
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