Scene Six
The same, without Afrida
Zoraya. Ah! the horrible old woman!——
Ximénès. An insult is not a reply!—She affirms; you deny. The accusation stands. And the Tribunal judges. (To Gil Andrès) Bring the other. (They make come forward Manuela, who is weak and trembling with fright) You, also, you have confessed it!—You have gone to the witches’ revels?
Manuela. Only once, Your Eminence—Only once! Mercy!
Ximénès. That is once too often!
Manuela. I was so unfortunate!—My employer drove me from his home when he discovered that I was to become a mother—for he was the father of the child. I was too weak to work in the fields and no one would keep me because my poor baby, which I nourished with my thin milk, was so hungry that It cried all of the time!—Ah! I have never known anything but shame and misery!—I have prayed fervently to God—He has done nothing for me—Then—Ah! my benevolent lords!—(She falls upon her knees on the steps before Ximénès and weeps) Have pity!—I have harmed no one!—And I am punished enough now!
Ximénès. (Severely) What else?
Manuela. Then—a gypsy woman, who saw me on my knees before a cross on the road where I had been begging, said to me: “You are foolish enough to address that object, which helps only the happy ones of this world! Charity for the poor comes only from the Other One!—Come! go home with me and you will see for yourself. He loves the jolly girls and will give you an apron full of gold!”
Ximénès. And you went to the home of the Other One?
Manuela. That night—after having left my child with a woman as poor as myself—the gypsy woman conducted me into a wood where many men and bad women were feasting round a fire!—They gave me food and drink and more and more of—I know not what kind of liquor—until I became like a fool!—And after!—Ah! God, no, oh! no, I cannot relate that!—In the morning I lay asleep on the ground, poorer than before, for my miserable, ragged clothes were gone! The archers threw me into a dungeon, where I have done nothing but shed tears day and night, thinking of my poor little baby! I do not know what has become of that! They will not tell me! (Sobbing) Ah! my good lords, do not make me more miserable! If they intend to burn me, why should I not be the first one selected from those doomed to die?
Ximénès. Raise your head—and look at this woman. (Manuela obeys) Do you recognize her as one of those who attended the witches’ revel?
Manuela. (After looking at Zoraya) No, no, Your Eminence.
Ximénès. Look at her carefully. And remember that you will receive some consideration if you answer frankly.
Zoraya. (Going to her) Yes, look at me.
Manuela. (Tremblings after looking at Zoraya) They made me drunk—I had no reason left—I do not remember clearly!——
Ximénès. Are you afraid that she will avenge herself?—She cannot harm you!—Then, confess that you saw her at this diabolical feast!
Manuela. (With the same voice) I cannot remember!
Ximénès. Take care, for we have sure methods for refreshing your memory.
Manuela. Have mercy, my lord!—I am telling the truth!
Ximénès. No!—You recognize her, but will not admit it!
Manuela. Should I accuse an innocent one!—condemn her without being certain?—I shall lose my soul!
Ximénès. The safety of your soul depends upon us—as does that of your body!—Then, you have seen her, have you not?
Manuela. I am not certain!—
Ximénès. (With the same voice) Andrès!
Manuela. (Frightened, between his knees) No, no! Have mercy!—mercy! Do nothing more to me!
Ximénès. (Very sternly) Do you recognize her?
Manuela. (In tears) Yes, yes! I know her!—I recognize her! (Falling on her knees at Zoraya’s feet) Ah! pardon, pardon me!—I am too weak!
Zoraya. (Very much moved) Yes, poor girl, yes! I pardon you!
Ximénès. (To Gil Andrès) Take her away!
Gil Andrès raises Manuela and leads her away, sobbing.