The court adjourned.
The five minutes were an eternity. Paul was allowed to sit down in the witness-box. His father continued staring at him with fury in his eyes, but he made no sign that he wished to speak to him.
Elsbeth was brought back into the court, pale as death, and Paul stepped forward again.
“I warn you again,” the president began, “to be in all things strictly truthful, for you know that each word of your statement is uttered under oath.”
“I know it,” said Paul.
“But you have the right, as you know, to refuse any statement if you fear that the same would bring down any punishment upon yourself or your family. Will and can you make use of this right now, as you did before?”
“No.”
He spoke in a firm, clear voice, for he had the certainty that Elsbeth’s honor would be irremediably lost if he were silent now.
“But if my oath is perjury?” he heard his conscience whisper immediately after; but it was too late.
“Oh! what did you want to do in the garden?” the president asked.