Paul felt as if paralyzed. His knees shook under him; a dull weight pressed upon his forehead which rendered him incapable of thought. “You will bring shame on her,” he murmured incessantly, but without knowing what he was saying. Inside the court the examination of witnesses began. One after the other was called. First the workmen; then the public-house keeper in whose house Michel Raudszus had made the suspicious allusions; then the ragged little group in the corner. The room began to empty. Then the name of Douglas was called out. He whispered a few words in his daughter’s ear, which probably had reference to the Meyerhofers, and then walked off with long strides. Her hands folded in her lap, she now sat alone by the wall. A deep blush of excitement burned on her cheeks. She looked very sweet and timid, and her simple, truthful nature was impressed on all her features. His mother did not take her eyes from her, and at times she looked across at Paul and smiled as if in a dream. A quarter of an hour elapsed; then Elsbeth’s name also was called. She threw one friendly glance at his mother and disappeared through the door. Her examination was not long. “Mr. Meyerhofer, senior!” the clerk called from the court, and sprang towards them to help Paul in carrying the chair. The old man panted and puffed out his cheeks; then again he leaned back, moaning low--inwardly rejoicing greatly to be able to play a part so full of effect. The wide assize court swam before Paul’s eyes in a red mist; he indistinctly saw closely-packed faces gazing down on himself or on his father; then he had to leave the court again. The sisters, who up to now had looked around full of curiosity, began to be afraid. To deaden their fear they ate the sandwiches they had brought. Paul encouraged them, and refused the sausage which they generously offered him. His mother had retired to a corner, was trembling, and said, from time to time, “What may they be wanting with me?” “Mr. Meyerhofer, junior!” sounded from the door. The next moment he stood in the lofty room filled with people before an elevated table, at which sat several men with severe and serious faces; only one, who sat a little on one side, smiled constantly; that was the chief-justice, who was feared by all the world. On the right side of the court, too, on raised seats, sat a little knot of dignified citizens, who looked very much bored, and tried to pass the time with penknives, bits of paper, etc. These were the jury. On the left side, locked up in the dock, sat the accused. He was making eyes at the audience, and his face looked as if the whole affair concerned anybody but him. Paul had never seen the sinister fellow look so cheerful.