"He did, sire."
"Then you no longer deny that he was the Judas."
"Your majesty can remember which of your secretaries was charged with the copying of your dispatches."
The emperor sighed. "I know, I know," murmured he; "and yet it pains me so to believe it, for I have loved him sincerely."
"And I have loved my daughter," returned Eskeles. "This man stole her from me, and has converted my child into a Deist."
"She shall be returned to you, and Gunther shall receive the punishment of his crimes," cried Joseph, in a loud and angry voice. "No mercy for him! I shall know how to act as becomes a wronged and outraged sovereign."
"But that will not restore my child" said Eskeles, disconsolately. "What good is it to me that this wretch is to suffer? It will not bring back Rachel. And even if she should be forced to seek my protection, what comfort can I derive from one who is a Deist—a creature who mocks at religion?"
"She will be obliged to become one thing or the other, if she would shield herself from the fearful consequences of her skepticism."
"That is it," cried Eskeles, joyfully. "Your majesty has found the remedy. Rachel must be threatened with the disgrace of legal punishment, and then she will repent, and return to her father. Sire, I accuse her of Deism. I exact that she be brought to judgment."
"To judgment!" exclaimed the emperor. "Do you know the punishment for her offence?"