In her turn she sat down and seemed to be collecting her thoughts.
"Providence or an evil destiny, I know not which, has made you witness of a mystery in which lies involved the honour of my family."
So she knew it all!
I sat confounded and astonished.
"Madam, believe me, it was but by chance—"
"It is useless," she interrupted; "I know it all, and it is frightful!"
Then, in a heartrending appealing voice, she cried—
"My father is not a guilty man!"
I shuddered, and with hands outstretched cried—
"Madam, I know it; I know that the life of your father has been one of the noblest and loveliest."