nd did not
thrust him aside when he whispered in her ear: "Let us see if a kiss
cannot be sweet even through all that wrapping!--Now, come. It will be
all over in a few minutes."

He led the way into the anteroom to the great hall, begged her to wait
a moment, and then went in and hastily informed the assembly that Dame
Susannah had entrusted her daughter to him only on condition that he
should escort her back again as soon as she had given her testimony.
Then Paula was brought in and he desired her to be seated.

It was with a sinking and anxious heart that Katharina had entered the
anteroom. She had screened herself from a scolding before now by trivial
subterfuges, but never had told a serious lie; and every instinct
rebelled against the demand that she should now state a direct
falsehood. But could Orion, the noblest of mankind, the idol of the
whole town, so pressingly entreat her to do anything that was wrong? Did
not love--as he had said--make it her duty to do everything that might
screen him from loss or injury? It did not seem to her to be quite as it
should be, but perhaps she did not altogether understand the matter; she
was so young and inexperienced. She hated the idea, too, that, if she
opposed her lover, he would have to come to terms with Paula. She had
no lack of self-possession, and she told herself that she might hold
her own with any girl in Memphis; still, she felt the superiority of the
handsome, tall, proud Syrian, nor could she forget how, the day before
yesterday, when Paula had been walking up and down the garden with Orion
the chief officer of Memphis had exclaimed: "What a wonderfully handsome
couple!" She herself had often thought that no more beautiful, elegant
and lovable creature than Thomas' daughter walked the earth; she had
longed and watched for a glance or a kind word from her. But since
hearing those words a bitter feeling had possessed her soul against
Paula, and there had been much to foster it. Paula always treated her
like a child instead of a grown-up girl, as she was. Why, that very
morning, had she sought out her betrothed--for she might call him so
now--and tried to keep her away from him? And how was it that
Orion, even while declaring his love for her, had spoken more than
warmly--enthusiastically of Paula? She must be on her guard, and though
others should speak of the great good fortune that had fallen to her
lot, Paula, at any rate, would not rejoice in it, for Kathar