"That is the Bible," the old gentleman at the table said solemnly, "and you have sworn by that sacred Book that you will speak only the truth. Bear in mind what an awful thing it would be to tell a falsehood after that—ten times as wicked as any other falsehood. Now tell me who the lady and gentleman are who were in the train with you."
Elsie trembled violently. She tried to think what to say, but could find no answer. There was Duncan on one side, that terrible warning the gentleman had given her on the other. She tried to say "I do not know," but was so afraid that that too was a falsehood, that the sentence died on her lips.
"Speak up," the gentleman said.
It seemed to Elsie as if ages elapsed while they stood waiting for her answer. She was conscious of nothing but the man standing by her side, and great silence everywhere, which let her hear the rushing sound in her ears and the beating of her heart. At last the magistrate spoke again.
"Tell me, is the lady your own mother?"
Another question—worse than the first.
"You must answer," the magistrate said, sharply; "and quickly too!"
"Oh, I dare not!" burst from poor Elsie's frightened lips. "They will kill Duncan if I do!"
Then in a moment she knew she had said too much. In her fright she had not seen the meaning of her own words.
"Who is Duncan?" the white-haired gentleman asked kindly.