For years he had filled her father's place, and now he was dying, leaving her forever! But she could not let him depart with a false idea of the woman whom she worshipped with all the fervor of her child's heart; in a subdued voice, but with eager feeling, she said, close to his ear: "But Grandfather, there is one thing you must know before the Saviour takes you away to be happy in Heaven.

Paula told the truth, and never, never told a lie, not even for Hiram's sake.

An empty gold frame hung to her necklace and no gem at all.

Whatever Orion may say, I saw it myself and cannot be mistaken, as truly as I hope to see you and my poor father in heaven! And Katharina, too, thought better of it, and confessed to me just now that she had committed a great sin and had borne false witness before the judges to please her dear Orion.

I do not know what Hiram had done to offend him; but on the strength of Katharina's evidence the judges condemned him to death.