Geneviève smiled.
"A woman might conceive hopes," said she, "but a woman could not form a plan like this of which I am the victim."
"How came you there, then?"
"Not of my own accord. I was compelled."
"Who compelled you?" demanded the public prosecutor.
"Those who menaced me with death if I did not obey;" and again the agitated look of the young woman was centred on that part of the hall invisible to Maurice.
"But to escape from this death which menaced you, did you not know that you faced that death which must result from your condemnation?"
"When I consented, the knife was at my throat, while the guillotine was only in perspective. I succumbed under present violence."
"Why did you not call for assistance? All good citizens would have defended you."
"Alas! sir," said Geneviève, in a voice at once so sad and sweet that it caused Maurice's heart to beat tumultuously, "I had no one near me."