"How did that happen?"
"My father died and—my mother married a second time."
Her voice broke, but she shot a swift glance at the prisoner and seemed to gain strength.
"Your mother married a Frenchman?"
"Yes."
"What is the name of the Frenchman whom your mother married?"
The girl hesitated, and then looking straight at the baron, she said: "The Baron de Heidelmann-Bruck."
There was something in the girl's tone, in her manner, in the fearless poise of her head, that sent a shiver of apprehension through the audience. Every man and woman waited breathless for the next question. In their absorbed interest in the girl they scarcely looked at the aristocratic visitor.
"Is your mother living?"
"No."