rching glance and exclaimed in surprise, "You are
the judge who married me."

He let his head fall upon his breast with well-assumed humility,
remained a moment in silence, looked up mournfully and said, "I would to
God that I had really married you, for then I should not have been
bearing this accursed load of guilt that has been crushing me for
months."

At these words, Pepeeta sprang from her seat and stood before him with
her hands clasped upon her breast.

"Be quick! go on!" she cried, when she had waited in vain for him to
proceed.

"Prepare yourself for a revelation of treachery and dishonor. I can
conceal my crime no longer. If I hold my peace the very stones in the
street will cry out against me."

"Make haste!" Pepeeta exclaimed, imperatively.

"Madam," continued the strange man, "I have betrayed you."

"You have betrayed me?"

"Yes, I have betrayed you. Do you understand? You are not married to
your husband. I deceived you as I was bribed to do. I was not a justice.
I had no right to perform that ceremony. It was a solemn farce. Your
false lover desired to possess the privileges without assuming the
responsibilities of marriage."

These words, spoken slowly, solemnly, and with a simulation of candor
which would have deceived her even if she had not desired to believe
them, produced the most profound impression upon the mind of Pepeeta.
She approached the judge and cried: "Sir, I beg you in the name of
heaven not to trifle with me! Is what you have told me true?"

"Alas, too true."

"If it is true, you will say it before the God in heaven? Raise your
right hand!"

Before an appeal so solemn and a soul so pure a man less corrupt would
have faltered; but without a moment's hesitation this depraved,
remorseless creature did as she commanded.

"I swear it," he said.

"Oh! sir," she cried, "you cannot understand; but this is the happiest
moment of my life!"

"Madam?" he exclaimed, interrogatively and with consummate art.

"It is not necessary for you to know why," she answered; "but on my
knees I thank you."

He lifted her up. "What can it mean? I implore you to tell me," he said.

"Do not ask me!" she replied. "I cannot tell you now! My heart is too
full."

"But does this mean that I have nothing to regret and that you have
forgiven me?"

"It does. For it is against God only you have sinned! As for myself, I
bless you from the bottom of my heart!"

She gave him her hand. He took it in