"Because I am accused, mother."
"You! Accused, and by whom?" cried the woman, in anguish.
"By you, mother."
A frightful silence, like the precursor of death, fell suddenly upon the noisy assemblage, while the painful feeling excited by this horrible scene oppressed every heart.
"Her daughter," was whispered, as if by voices in the distance,—"her daughter! Unhappy woman!"
Maurice and Lorin regarded both the accuser and the accused with sentiments of deep commiseration, mingled with respectful pity for their unhappy fate.
Simon, anxious to witness the conclusion of this tragedy, in which he hoped both Maurice and Lorin would remain actors, endeavored to withdraw from the attention of the woman Tison, who gazed wildly around.
"What is your name, Citizeness?" said the president to the young girl, himself affected at the scene.
"Héloïse Tison, Citizen."
"What is your age?"