Paula had betrayed him in spite of her promise, and how mean was her woman's cunning! She could be silent before the judges--yes.

Silent in all confidence now, to the very last; but the nurse, her mouthpiece, had already put Nilus, the keenest and most important member of the court, in possession of the evidence which spoke for her and against him.

It was shocking, disgraceful! Base and deliberately malicious treachery.

But the end was not yet: he still was free to act and to ward off the spiteful stroke by a counterthrust.

How it should be dealt was clear from Perpetua's statement; but his conscience, his instincts and long habits of submission to what was right, good, and fitting held him back.