ng her chains. Almost fainting,
she threw herself upon her father's neck, and the old man sat down with
her upon her bed and pressed her in his arms. For some time they both
remained silent and mingled their tears together. At length James broke
the silence and began to speak as the judge had instructed him.

[Illustration: "She raised herself hastily, forgetting her chains."
_See page 44._]

"Oh, my father," said Mary, in a reproachful voice, interrupting him,
"surely you at least do not doubt my innocence. Alas," she continued,
weeping bitterly, "is there no one who believes me innocent, no one,
not even my father! Oh, my dear father, believe me that I am innocent."

"Calm yourself, my dear child; I believe you entirely. I am only doing
now what I have been instructed to do by the judge."

There was a silence for a little while in the cell. The old man looked
at his daughter and saw her cheeks pale and hollow with grief, her eyes
red and swollen with weeping, and her hair hanging dishevelled about
her.

"My dear child," he said, "God has suffered you to be tried very
severely; but I fear lest there should be a worse trial to come, more
painful sufferings than any you have yet undergone. Alas, perhaps even
my dear child's head may fall by the hands of the executioner!"

"My father," said Mary soothingly, "I care but little for myself. But
for you----"

"Fear nothing for me, my dear Mary," said her father, "I run no
risk----"

"Oh," cried Mary, "thank God! If that is the case, a great load is
taken off my heart. For myself, all is well. Be sure, my dear father, I
fear not to die. I shall go to God; I shall find my Saviour. I shall
also see my mother in heaven. That will be a great happiness."

Deeply moved at his daughter's words, the old man wept like a child.

"Well, God be praised," said he, clasping his aged hands together, "God
be praised for your submissive spirit. It is very hard for a man
stricken in years, for a tender father to lose his only child, the
child of his love, his only consolation, the joy of his old age, and
his last support, but," he continued, "may the will of the Lord be
done."

"One word," said he, a moment afterwards; "Juliette has sworn falsely
against you. On her oath she has declared that she saw the ring in your
hands. If you perish, you will perish by her testimony. But you will
pardon her, my Mary--is it not so? You do not take with you any feeling
of hatred towards her. Al