She raised her hands above her head, twisting the interlaced fingers.

Fresh tears welled up in her eyes.
"_Ay!_ How can I succeed in making you believe me ?...

What oath can I take to convince you that I am telling you the truth ?..." The captain's impassive air gave her to understand that all such extremes would be unavailing.

There was no oath that could possibly convince him.

Even though she should tell the truth, he would not believe her.
She went on with her story, not wishing to protest against this impassable wall.
"My father also was of Italian origin but was Austrian because of the place of his birth....