The Baron followed her with a look that pierced to the depths of her soul.
"Then you have told him a falsehood?" he said.
She pressed her lips together and made no answer.
"That was foolish. By-and-by somebody may come along who will tell him the truth."
"What can any one tell him that he has not heard already? He has heard everything, and put it all behind his back."
"Could nobody bring conviction to his mind? Nobody whatever? Not even one who had no interest in slandering you?"
"You don't mean that you...."
"Why not? He has come between us. What could be more natural than that I should tell him so?"
A look of dismay came over her face, and it was followed by an expression of terror.
"But you wouldn't do that," she stammered. "You couldn't do it. It is impossible. You are only trying me."