At this she did not speak.
"You must answer the question," said the chief justice.
I saw a look of terror pass across her face. Her hands clenched and unclenched themselves, while a crimson flush suffused her whole face.
"What have these questions to do with the crime of which I am accused?" she asked. "It is well known who I am. Moreover, there are certain questions which are painful, and they have nought to do with the deed of which I am believed to be guilty. Therefore be pleased to pass on!"
One might have thought she commanded the court, although she spoke in a low voice, and in a perfectly womanly way. I believe moreover that the principal justice would have saved her these questions, but the clerk insisted upon them.
"These be according to law, Sir William," he said, "and must be answered."
"You hear what the clerk saith?" replied the justice.
"I repeat the question," said the clerk. "You were married, were you not, on the 15th day of January, to Sir Charles Denman?"
She drew herself up as if to speak, but no words escaped her lips.
"How hateful the thought of the marriage is to her," I thought to myself, and my heart was full of joy at the thought of it.